Dubai to host 2009 Sevens World Cup
Dubai has won the right to host the Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2009 and the tournament will be the first to incorporate a women's competition, the International Rugby Board (IRB) announced yesterday.
The Gulf state beat off stiff competition from Australia as well as bids from the Netherlands, Russia and the United States to secure the right to host the fifth Rugby World Cup Sevens. Dubai follows in the footsteps of Hong Kong (2005 and 1997), Argentina (2001) and Scotland (1993).
Dubai, which successfully hosted the world under-19 championships last year, secured the backing of 12 of the 24 members of the IRB council in the first round of voting, one short of the overall majority required.
The Emirate then emerged victorious 14-10 in a run-off against Australia, who had secured eight votes in the first round.
IRB chairman Syd Millar voiced confidence that Dubai would stage a "spectacular" tournament.
"Dubai has a proven track record of staging major international events and has both the infrastructure and ability to stage a tournament of this scale," he said.
"There is a strong rugby community within the city and the annual Dubai Sevens has grown to become one of the most popular, colourful and well attended on the world sevens series, attracting capacity crowds."
David Skidmore, chairman of the Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union and leader of Dubai's bid, said Dubai would be aiming to match the success of the 2005 event in Hong Kong.
Millar underlined that Hong Kong 2005 had set a new benchmark for the event. Source
The Gulf state beat off stiff competition from Australia as well as bids from the Netherlands, Russia and the United States to secure the right to host the fifth Rugby World Cup Sevens. Dubai follows in the footsteps of Hong Kong (2005 and 1997), Argentina (2001) and Scotland (1993).
Dubai, which successfully hosted the world under-19 championships last year, secured the backing of 12 of the 24 members of the IRB council in the first round of voting, one short of the overall majority required.
The Emirate then emerged victorious 14-10 in a run-off against Australia, who had secured eight votes in the first round.
IRB chairman Syd Millar voiced confidence that Dubai would stage a "spectacular" tournament.
"Dubai has a proven track record of staging major international events and has both the infrastructure and ability to stage a tournament of this scale," he said.
"There is a strong rugby community within the city and the annual Dubai Sevens has grown to become one of the most popular, colourful and well attended on the world sevens series, attracting capacity crowds."
David Skidmore, chairman of the Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union and leader of Dubai's bid, said Dubai would be aiming to match the success of the 2005 event in Hong Kong.
Millar underlined that Hong Kong 2005 had set a new benchmark for the event. Source
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