DUBAI,United Arab Emirates - The finest players on the planet have arrived,the crowds are primed, and it’s now just a matter of hours to thekickoff of the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009.
Historywill be made this weekend thanks to the inaugural Women’s RugbyWorld Cup Sevens, which will run alongside the men’s tournamentfrom March 5-7 at The Sevens venue.
Atotal of 24 men’s and 16 women’s squads will compete for theultimate prize in Dubai , having emerged from the numerous qualifyingbattles, involving 87 men’s and 83 women’s teams around the globeover the past year. And now it’s time to determine who will becrowned world champions.
“Ibelieve we have a good team and I believe we are capable of defendingthe World Cup. It’s not going to be easy – defending the WorldCup is every team’s aim, but we have been playing well here,”said Vilimoni Delasau, a member of Fiji 's men’s squad who won theMelrose Cup at the last Rugby World Cup Sevens in Hong Kong in 2005.
“Ifthis was the first, second or third World Cup for women’s Sevenswe’d want to win it,” added England women’s coach Simon Amor,whose side is tipped by many to become the first to have theirnation’s name inscribed on the women’s cup.
“Allour players want to be world champions and they dream of playing in aWorld Cup final and that is what we have been building up to over thelast 12 months,” he added.
Allthe action will kick off at Emirates’ purpose-built sports venue,The Sevens, on March 5 with an Arabian Gulf Youth Tournament at2.30pm, with the first of the men’s Rugby World Cup Sevens matchesstarting, when Wales take on Zimbabwe at 5 p.m. (GST). The uniqueDubai- flavored Opening Ceremony will follow at 7 p.m., before theinternational matches resume with England playing Hong Kong at 7:30p.m.
“RugbyWorld Cup Sevens 2009 in Dubai promises to take the Sevens Game tonew levels. Not only is it the biggest ever IRB tournament, promisingfantastic action and a festival atmosphere, but it will also be alandmark event for Rugby as for the we look forward to welcoming thefinest women’s players in the world to the inaugural Women’sRugby World Cup Sevens,” said Bernard Lapasset, Rugby World CupLimited Chairman.
“Itis our aim that this tournament will leave a legacy, not only for theparticipating players and Rugby World Cup Sevens, but also for thecontinued growth and development of Rugby in West Asia ,” he added.
“Iwould like to thank Principal Partner Emirates Airline and theArabian Gulf for their superb organisation of this special event andtheir strong backing of Rugby in the Region and the host of officialsponsors and suppliers for their generous support.”
“Emiratesisvery excited to be involved in the hosting of the Rugby World CupSevens 2009,” said Richard Vaughan, Senior Vice President,Commercial Operations, East Asia and Australasia, Emirates –Principal Partner of the tournament.
“Emirateshas had a long association with rugby both in the region andworldwide, it is wonderful to now welcome the finest men’s andwomen’s Sevens players in the world to compete on the greateststage the sport has to offer right here in Dubai ,” addedVaughan .
“Itis a great honor to be hosting the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai ,”said Andy Cole, Chairman of the host union, the Arabian Gulf RugbyFootball Union.
“TheMiddle East is renowned for its warm hospitality and tremendousability in staging magnificent sporting events, and the Rugby WorldCup Sevens will arguably be the most prestigious event ever held inthe Arabian Gulf Region. With the first class facilities at TheSevens complex in Dubai , the scene is set for a fantastic World Cupthat will be truly memorable,” he added.
Ticketsfor the Rugby World Cup Sevens will be available from The Sevensvenue from 10 a.m on Thursday, March 5.
Formore information on the Rugby World Cup Sevens, log on towww.rwcsevens.com.
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