Dubai: The Dubai Duty Free, the world's leading single airport retailer, has shown its support of UAE Rugby by recently being named the Official sponsor of Referees and Match Officials for UAE Rugby.

"Dubai Duty Free is proud to have long relationships with numerous local and international sporting events, Rugby is one such relationship we enjoy," said Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman, Dubai Duty Free. "Rugby is growing rapidly in the UAE and we are committed to working with its governing body and assisting in its overall development and governance".

The sponsorship will now permit the Match Officials to regularly participate in ARFU and IRB approved workshops and will see the Dubai Duty Free logo prominently displayed on the Referees Official Kit, which will be worn in all local and UAE hosted cross-border and regional tournaments.

"Referees and Match Officials are integral to managing and delivering the laws of the game of Rugby, from youth through to international levels, their importance cannot be highlighted enough" stated Ian Bremner, CEO UAE Rugby. "We are exceptionally pleased to have the support of Dubai Duty Free to assist in their ongoing development and subsequent regulation of the game"

Dubai Duty Free are stanch supporters and organisers of well over 30 local and international sporting events, including their own WTA and ATP sanctioned Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships to the highly popular IRB recognised Emirates Airlines Dubai Rugby 7's tournament.