Int'l Rugby Board Upgrades UAE Rugby Membership; Now A Full Member Of IRB

The Int'l Rugby Board said that it is committed to ensuring the UAE "grow on the world stage" after confirming the national federation has been made a full member of the sport's world governing body, according to Paul Radley of THE NATIONAL. The UAE Rugby Federation "took over running the game" after the multi-state Arabian Gulf union was disbanded two years ago. UAE Rugby Federation Chair Mohammed Falaknaz believes that the upgrade in status from associate membership is "due reward for the progress that has been made in developing rugby here." Falaknaz said, "We have continued our commitment to growing the game through qualifying more coaches, as well as increasing participation by young people with an emphasis on our Emirati youth" (THE NATIONAL, 11/28).