Dubai: The UAE Falcons, the national rugby league team of the emirates, plays its first international fixture of the season against Pakistan on Friday from 5pm at Dubai Sports City.
After a three-year hiatus - due to sponsorship issues - those championing rugby's faster and more physical code in the UAE, hope to bounce back from sporting obscurity with renewed vigour both on and off the pitch this weekend.
A mainstay of Australia, New Zealand and parts of Northern England, rugby league was formed in 1895 after a split from rugby union over a pay dispute. The breakaway more free-flowing format, dependant on 13 players and not 15, is now heralded by the hardcore spectator for its speed and brutality, but it still plays a secondary role to slower and less combative union both here and abroad.
Using the Pakistan match as a springboard back into the public conscience here, organizers hope UAE league's re-arrival can spur the set-up of an inaugural local four-club domestic competition.
Such a prospect would result in international recognition and grant the UAE rights to qualify to the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, confirming the nation's presence on the international stage.
With the new local rugby union season now finishing earlier, in mid-march, there's time for union players to maintain fitness and play in a six-week four-team rugby league round-robin. At least that's the hope of chairman for the proposed Emirates National Rugby League, Sol Makdad, who sees no reason why the Falcons cant soar here.
Makdad said: "From the Pakistan match we hope to revive the UAE Falcons and generate enough interest locally among players and sponsors to start a domestic league competition because rugby league is one of the only sports not represented locally. After taking a break to restructure and get sponsors on board and a plan in place we want to show we are now back with a vengeance. Given union's popularity there's certainly scope for league rugby to hit it off."
Captain Rama Chand, who plays centre added: "Pakistan have some very big boys. They are solid and very confrontational so you can expect collisions, which is what league rugby is all about. First and foremost we're looking for the win but it won't be the 60-0 thrashing fans expect. It will be tight with, we hope, some positive league rugby played."
Hooker Kyle Bennie, who makes up almost 45 players already in training, said: "We'd like to start our season and long awaited return with a bang. We need to make a name for ourselves in the region quickly and our preparation under new coach Dennis Weir should enable us to do that with confidence. Pakistan is similar to us in that they are also an up and coming developing rugby league playing nation so this match will be hotly contested with much riding on it for the future of both teams."
Regular training sessions are held every Sunday from 7pm in Zabeel Park. For more information call Rama Chand on 050-342-8372 or visit Emirates Rugby League on facebook.com
