A new rugby sevens league will kick off today at Aspire Park, with the shorter, quicker version of the game expected to prop up interest in the sport in communities across Qatar.
The Qatar Rugby Federation (QRF) had earlier tested the format with the Qatar National Day Rugby Sevens and has now decided to go ahead with the first edition of Qatar Rugby 7s League starting today.
The league will see as many as seven teams — Al Khor, Blue Falcons, Camels 1 & 2, CNAQ, DRFC Hurricanes and Doha Lions — play each other over nine weeks on home and away basis, and a finals series, for the title of champions.
Talking ahead of the league launch, QRF president Yousef al-Kuwari said, “Even though history of rugby in Qatar is long, the federation came into existence only in April last year. In such a short span, we have had major successes and the Rugby Sevens League is yet another achievement for us.
“All this was accomplished within a very short time. We have been making good progress and the national team is also making us proud.”
The national team was recently invited to play in the Men’s International Invitation Division of the Dubai Sevens in December last year, where they reached the quarterfinals.
National team coach Usaia Bimaiwai said, “It is one of the most prestigious competitions, and we narrowly lost to a more experienced UR7S Academy of Britain.”
The Qatar sevens tournament, which will be held annually, will be instrumental in bridging a gap between domestic and international sides by providing opportunities to talent in Qatar.
Al-Kuwari said that the federation wants to develop the sport right from the grassroots level onward and is working on a youth development programme targeted at schools. “The survival of sport depends on the ability to attract new talent. We are, therefore, targeting schools and youth centres to promote rugby and to also spot new talent for further development,” al-Kuwari said.
Also in the offing is ladies rugby, considering that is one of the requirements to gain full membership of the World Rugby.
He said: “We are a full member of the Asian Rugby Federation and are in the final stages of becoming a full member of World Rugby.
“Aside from the ladies rugby, we are also planning to organize some major events like five nation competition and also to bring top teams like Fiji to play against our teams before the year runs out,” he spoke of the plans.
Bimaiwai, while praising the federation and team’s commitment, said, “I’ve coached in many countries around the world and I must say that what the boys have achieved within a short time of handling them has been amazing. Although this is my second time of coaching in Qatar, having coached the team for the Asian Games in 2006, but this time is really different.”
“All of these are pointers that the future of the game is bright here in Qatar. The supports of the federation have been wonderful as well.”
The tournament will be kicked off today by a match between two under-14 sides — Dukhan School and Blue Falcons (from Lycee Bonaparte).