Dubai: UAE rugby coach Wayne Marsters has said that although fielding an Emirati contingent was deemed necessary in this weekend's historic Sevens squad — which makes its home event debut on National Day — everyone donning the team's new kit will do so on merit.
Two Emiratis, Cyrus Homayoun and Mohammad Hassan Rahma, have made the first UAE sevens squad to compete at their home tournament this weekend since the Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union's (AGRFU) dissolution into respective GCC member states.
The pair will feature in a squad of 12 with a new kit from Gilbert, the union's official kit and ball supplier. It's especially designed with national colours and a falcon motif and souvenir replicas to mark the occasion will be on sale at the Sevens Stadium throughout the duration of the tournament.
Fitted in very well
Marsters said: "Homayoun and Rahma fitted in very well in my set-up, they have good previous experience and we've worked together in the past and so share previous player and coach understanding.
"They deserve their position in the team and make it on merit of training and performances. They are very promising young athletes and have made a seamless transition into my squad.
"For me the hardest thing as coach is to announce my selection and it's made worse by the prestige of this momentous event. But I spoke to everyone individually and they were all very good about it. All are on board and on standby ready should we have any injuries," said Marsters, who implied that although the occasion is symbolic, nobody will be on the teamsheet for show, despite the UAE RA being under pressure to present evidence of their spreading and Emiratisation of the game.
"There are other guys in the Shaheen side [Emirati only national team] but we considered everyone based on the grand scheme of our entire playing catchment. It was judged on final analysis. There was a decision that there should be Emirati inclusion in the squad. It was expected. But everyone in my team deserves their slot and worked equally hard.
Rahma said: "To play on our home ground in front of friends, family and the wider rugby-loving community is extremely exciting. We are thrilled and exceptionally proud to be wearing this new kit as we take the field.
"However, it represents more that just our playing kit [to us] so we are looking forward to seeing as many UAE residents and Emiratis supporting us by wearing it."
Homayoun added: "I'm excited, honoured and proud to be playing. That this will be on National Day makes it all the more special for me. I just want to do my best and help the team as best as I can."
