It will soon be time again for the fat men in Pink shirts to strut their stuff at the Dubai Rugby Sevens

Clearly the leadership of the emirate realises that events such as the Dubai World Cup, the Dubai Tennis Open and the Dubai Desert Classic add to the status of the emirate in the world, enhance the Dubai brand, and also support and give extra impetus to the emirate's all-important tourism sector. Similarly the creation of a world class motorsport track at the Dubai Autodrome and the enterprising Dubai led A1GP World Cup of Motorsport are excellent initiatives. How disappointing it is then that one of the oldest of the international events, the Dubai Rugby 7's, continues to be organised as if it was the personal property of a private club (which, in a way, it is) rather than the truly international standard rugby festival that it should be. The may seem a churlish judgment on an event that once again will this year be a sell out with over 70,000 spectators attending. But compared with the other international Sevens tournaments Dubai falls well short of the highest standards in one important aspect - the continued presence of the fat men in pink shirts.

Hong Kong Sevens should be the model

For those for whom Rugby 7s is a passion the Dubai event, which attracts the top rugby playing nations and is the first event in the IRB World Sevens Series annual calendar, should be something to look forward to. The origins of modern Rugby 7s were in Hong Kong Sevens in the mid 1970s and this established a model that most of the IRB Sevens World Series events have subsequently followed. This model is that over two or three days the main stadium plays host to top international teams in a series of group and then knockout matches and as the competition unfolds the better teams progress either to the 'Bowl' or to the 'Plate' or to the 'Cup'. The momentum and excitement builds until on the final afternoon there is a feast of world class rugby as one after another the three competition knock out final stages are played. Contrast this with Dubai where, on the final afternoon in front of a full stadium, there is a three-hour hiatus during which the All Blacks and the Fijians have to give way to the fat men in pink shirts!

At Dubai the Pros have to make way for the less than gifted amateurs

It is a gruesome tradition of the Dubai Rugby 7's that not only may we see the world's best Rugby sevens players, but we also have to suffer hours of the unfit, the incompetent and (one suspects) the less than fully clear-headed strutting their stuff whilst the professionals kick their heels on the sidelines. On the final day of the event the world's best players perform before a half empty stadium in the early morning (when the previous day's spectators are nursing their headaches) - but that when the stadium is full in the afternoon we are treated to the spectacle of over-weight veterans puffing away at their version of the game. Contrast this with Hong Kong where there is a gradual building of excitement and tension as the Quarter Finals are played to be followed, after a short break, by the Semi Finals and the Finals. But in Dubai from 2:48pm until the proper Rugby resumes at 6:20pm we have to suffer the fat men in pink shirts!

Getting the balance right

Before I am accused (again) by the insufferable Dubai Exiles clique of being a miserable party-pooper let me stress that I don't have a problem at all if some fun rugby is played at the same time as the Rugby 7's. This happens at some of the international sevens tournaments (including Hong Kong) and it is good for the game. What I object to is this dross being served up to paying spectators in the main stadium, at peak time on the final day. It is not just a sporting anti-climax it is a commercial rip off - the spectator is entitled to see world class rugby for his money and the professionals are entitled to hold the stage uninterrupted as their competitions reach their climax.

Rugby 7s is terrific fun for the spectators and there is a long tradition at all the events around the world of boisterous enjoyment for all in the stadium. True there will always be some in the stands and the corporate boxes who are less than fully aware of what is going on on the pitch - and perhaps many who don't really care as long as they can socialise and make merry. But at an international Rugby event, under the auspices of the International Rugby Board, surely the entertainment of the crowd should primarily be from the quality of the rugby rather than the hospitality? And this means keeping the fat men in pink shirts well away from playing area in the main stadium on the final afternoon!