The UAE Rugby Federation (UAERF) has announced that official committees to represent and continue activities for the codes of League and Touch in the UAE are well underway, with the respective committees to be formalised by the end of this week (commencing May 17).
– #360rugby: Tuilangi stupidity opens doors for England stars
– UAE: Coach Kotze confident of sustainable Union future
– UAE: National team ends ARC campaign with win over CT
– #360view: Sport the biggest loser in Rugby League debacle
The Federation has confirmed that a meeting with Mike Quinn, Chairman of Dubai Sharks Rugby Club and Keleto Dyer, Al Ain Amblers Rugby Club, has taken place and a meeting with Touch Rugby’s John Larkins will be held imminently.
A meeting of the Board will follow on Wednesday, May 20 to formalise and endorse the separate committees of the two codes and to endorse the UAERF Board member, Saoud Belshalat as Chairman of the newly established UAE Rugby League Committee.
“I am very happy to be [appointed] Chairman of the UAE Rugby League Committee and I look forward to working closely with the clubs to steer League into a positive future in the UAE,” said Belshalat.
“I am also very happy to advise that the game between Dubai Sharks and Xodus Wasps has been rescheduled for Friday May 29th, with the League finals to be played the following week, Friday June 5th.”
RLiF and RLEF have been advised of both the formation of the committee, and the meetings with the club chairmen via an official correspondence dated Tuesday May 12th.
UAERF Board announces the appointment of Board Member Saoud Belshalat as Chairman of the #UAE_Rugby_League_Committee pic.twitter.com/FOgNkbV0SW
— UAE Rugby Federation (@uaerugby) May 14, 2015
In this email it was re-iterated that the newly formed committee and its board will follow due process, under the auspice of the General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare and the UAE Rugby Federation.
The Federation will ensure all necessary licenses and permits to continue activities in the UAE are obtained, and also reiterated its commitment to work with the regional and international bodies to follow the games rules and regulations as set by the respective federations.
The news follows that of the UAERF withdrawing its case against Sol Mokdad conditional to three elements which have been agreed in the spirit of allowing the game of Rugby League to move forward under new governance.
Elmokdad had been arrested under allegations of fraud, after establishing the league against UAE regulations.
The RLIF has issued a statement about Rugby League in the UAE http://t.co/5kbCcf9Vuq
— International RL (@IntlRL) May 14, 2015
The conditions which Elmokdad has agreed to, include that he explains to regional and international Rugby League bodies that he is no longer involved with overseeing or managing the code under UAE jurisdiction.
Mokdad must also give assurances that we will not carry out rugby activities without UAERF approval and that the body is not liable or responsible for any of his previous, present and future misconduct or misbehaviour during his residency in the UAE.
“I’m delighted to report of fruitful correspondences achieved between the UAERF and the RLiF during the last week, and we are very happy that we can now provide this growing code, currently enjoyed by 4 clubs, an official, legal voice and representation in the UAE,” said Qais Al Dhalai, UAE Rugby Federation’s Secretary General.
“During the summer months, plans will be created for each of the codes to implement programmes which are current, as well as future fixtures to complete the activity calendar.”
