UAE Touch will take a giant stride in its efforts to promote its programme across the Middle East by holding the region’s inaugural Touch Championships in November this year.
Originally establishing ties in Abu Dhabi, UAE Touch is now embarking on a campaign to develop the sport in Dubai with the hope that young players eventually go on to play a range of sports when they finish school, the stage where they are first introduced to touch rugby.
The Emirates-based organisation aims to promote touch rugby throughout the UAE in support of the country’s drive towards healthy lifestyles, increased activity and uniting communities.
UAE Touch president, John Larkins, who solely runs the organisation, says that holding the tournament will be instrumental in driving forward plans to stage and participate in further competitions on the international touch scene.
Larkins is already targeting taking teams to the Middle East Schools Championships and Asian Touch Championships in 2014 as well as next year’s Touch World Cup in Australia.
“Ours is now an organisation providing opportunity, entertainment and fun for all communities across the UAE – spanning all ages and genders – to enjoy on several levels,” Larkin told Sport360. “This begins with our grassroots Touch in Schools programme and runs through our Social Touch leagues and on to the Elite Rep Touch programmes, which we are now looking to put as much support and resources behind as possible to give players and coaches the best opportunity to compete & win championships.
"Five core priorities have been identified which support the delivery of our mission over the next three years. These are: improving physical literacy, increasing player numbers, developing International calibre coaches and referees; boosting national participation and obtaining national and international recognition,” added Larkin.
In preparation for the Touch World Cup in 2015, UAE Touch has already selected training squads and will be using scheduled camps as an opportunity to give as many players a possible a chance to stake their claims for inclusion in the teams sent to Australia in 2015.
The Middle East World Championships will take place on the 14th Novermber.
