Local Dubai Rugby Sevens event cancelled due to coronavirus

Plans to host local teams in scaled down tournament scuppered due to pandemic

Warblers during the final against Korea in the Dubai Rugby Sevens for the Emirates Trophy in 1994. Korea won the match 21-20. Gary Prior / ALLSPORT

Michael Dodds, left, during a Dubai Rugby Sevens match against Hong Kong in Dubai in 1990. Russell Cheyne / ALL SPORT

Tonga take on USA during the Dubai Rugby Sevens tournament in Dubai in 1998. Alex Livesey / ALLSPORT/ Getty

The venue for the Dubai Rugby Sevens in Dubai in 1990. ALLSPORT/ Getty

Dubai Exiles at the Rugby Sevens in 1981. Courtesy: Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens

A match during the Emirates & M.M.I Dubai Rugby Sevens in 1989. Russell Cheyne / ALLSPORT/ Getty

Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens captains shoot at the Jumeirah Mina A'Salam on Tuesday. Victor Besa / The National

Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens captains shoot at the Jumeirah Mina A'Salam. Victor Besa / The National

The Dubai Rugby Sevens will not take place in any form this year, after it was confirmed a locally-based tournament has also now been cancelled due to the pandemic.

It was announced in July that the first two legs of the World Sevens Series season, in Dubai and Cape Town, would not be going ahead.

It was hoped the Dubai event could go ahead in some guise, along the lines of a club invitational competition.

However, domestic rugby is still yet to restart after the Covid-enforced break.

The UAE Rugby Federation announced in September the suspension of all rugby activities until they have obtained government approval for their return to play protocols.

It was subsequently confirmed that Dubai-based clubs and academies can continue to train, but that competitions are prohibited until further notice.

Now, the decision has been taken to cancel the proposed plan for the Dubai Rugby Sevens.

“The team have been working tirelessly since the World Series cancellation was announced in July in an attempt to build out a plan for the event to take place,” Thomas Burwell, the tournament director of the Sevens, said.

“A primary goal was to put the health and safety of participants, suppliers and partners at a premium.

“I am very proud of the work that the team produced, we have left no stone unturned, but following further discussions with stakeholders at all levels the decision has been taken to cancel the tournament for 2020.

"It is certainly with a heavy heart that we make today's announcement. The tournament has taken place every year for the past 51 years, so I appreciate the impact that cancellation has on both the sporting and the local community.

“It is the correct decision with the health and safety of all at the forefront.

"We were incredibly close to making this happen, but ultimately we have fallen at the last hurdle.”

___________________