ABU DHABI 4 July 2017: UAE Rugby Federation’s U18 Emirati girls continue their ‘firsts’ by participating in the third edition of the Paris World Games, commencing Saturday, July 8th, in Paris, France.
For the first time, and with a focus on Paris’s 2024 Olympic hosting bid, the games will expand from solely hosting football to include badminton, basketball, handball, volleyball and sevens rugby. It is anticipated that over 700 teams across the five sports will compete over the week-long games.
In preparation of the rugby two-day tournament, UAE Rugby’s U18 Emirati girls team will participate in a 4-day training camp at France’s Centre National du Rugby, Marcoussis, France.
UAE Rugby Board Member, Fawzia Faridoon, said, “This is an incredible milestone for UAE Rugby and for Emirati women in sport. UAE Rugby’s coaching and development staff, our RDO Manager Sami Smara, Girls RDO Amira Ben Fikh Ali and Head Coach Apollo Perelini, have shown absolute commitment in growing the confidence and skills of our burgeoning Under 18 Emirati girls team, and we are thrilled to be participating in the 2017 Paris World Games.”
“UAE Rugby Federation recently entered into a long-term agreement with France Rugby to develop all levels of our players, and we are delighted to be able to use the facilities at their world-renowned National Centre ahead of the games,” added Faridoon.
UAE Rugby Federation Chairman, Sheikh Mohammed bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, was on hand at the team’s final Dubai training to wish them well in their campaign.
By Angel Chan