Dubai Set to Welcome the World at Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009
DUBAI, U.A.E., 4th March 2009 - The finest players on the planet have arrived, the crowds are primed, and it’s now just a matter of hours to the kickoff of the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009.
History will be made this weekend thanks to the inaugural Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens, which will run alongside the men’s tournament from 5th to 7th March at Emirates’ sporting venue ‘The Sevens’.
A total of 24 men’s and 16 women’s squads will compete for the ultimate prize in Dubai, having emerged from the numerous qualifying battles, involving 87 men’s and 83 women’s teams around the globe over the past year. And now it’s time to determine who will be crowned world champions.
Richard Vaughan, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, East Asia and Australasia, said: “Emirates is very excited to be involved in the hosting of the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009.
“Emirates has had a long association with rugby both in the region and worldwide, it is wonderful to now welcome the finest men’s and women’s Sevens players in the world to compete on the greatest stage the sport has to offer right here in Dubai.”
Vilimoni Delasau, a member of Fiji's men’s squad who won the Melrose Cup at the last Rugby World Cup Sevens in Hong Kong in 2005, said: “I believe we have a good team and I believe we are capable of defending the World Cup. It’s not going to be easy – defending the World Cup is every team’s aim, but we have been playing well here.”
“If this was the first, second or third World Cup for women’s Sevens we’d want to win it,” added England women’s coach Simon Amor, whose side is tipped by many to become the first to have their nation’s name inscribed on the women’s cup.
“All our players want to be world champions and they dream of playing in a World Cup final and that is what we have been building up to over the last 12 months,” he added.
All the action will kick off at ‘The Sevens’, on Thursday 5th March with an Arabian Gulf Youth Tournament.
Rugby World Cup Sevens matches starting, when Wales take on Zimbabwe at 17.00hrs (UAE Time). The unique Dubai- flavoured Opening Ceremony will follow at 19.00hrs, before the international matches resume with England playing Hong Kong at 19.30hrs.
“Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 in Dubai promises to take the Sevens Game to new levels. Not only is it the biggest ever IRB tournament, promising fantastic action and a festival atmosphere, but it will also be a landmark event for Rugby as for the we look forward to welcoming the finest women’s players in the world to the inaugural Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens,” said Bernard Lapasset, Rugby World Cup Limited Chairman.
“It is our aim that this tournament will leave a legacy, not only for the participating players and Rugby World Cup Sevens, but also for the continued growth and development of Rugby in West Asia,” he added.
“I would like to thank Principal Partner Emirates Airline and the Arabian Gulf for their superb organisation of this special event and their strong backing of Rugby in the Region and the host of official sponsors and suppliers for their generous support.”
“It is a great honour to be hosting the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai,” said Andy Cole, Chairman of the host union, the Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union.
“The Middle East is renowned for its warm hospitality and tremendous ability in staging magnificent sporting events, and the Rugby World Cup Sevens will arguably be the most prestigious event ever held in the Arabian Gulf Region. With the first class facilities at The Sevens complex in Dubai, the scene is set for a fantastic World Cup that will be truly memorable,” he added.
Tickets for the Rugby World Cup Sevens will be available from The Sevens venue from 10am on Thursday, 5th March.