Record turnout confirmed for Dubai Rugby 7s

The event's status as the biggest ever was rubber-stamped when organisers yesterday (Monday) confirmed that the ground - with temporary grandstands currently nearing completion - will cater for a record 25,000 spectators, up 3,000 on last year's previous best.

In addition, for the first time, more than 150 teams will compete in the local and international invitational tournament - resulting in an increase of more than ten per cent in the number of games to be played - while more ladies and Under-19 teams will also add extra weight to the social side of an event that is seen as a key date in the build up to the 2005 Sevens World Cup in Hong Kong.

'As well as the 16 nations competing for the Emirates International Trophy in the opening round of the IRB Sevens, we'll also have 152 teams in the various competitions in the local and international invitational tournaments,' said Gary Chapman, President of DNATA and Associated Companies, Emirates Group.

'This means we'll be fitting in 353 games in that side alone and looking after the interests of a record 1,580 players.'

But it's not just players and fans who will help make this the biggest ever Emirates Airline Dubai 7s. The UAE's commercial heavyweights also see the rugby festival as one of the key dates on the calendar for corporate hospitality and already the 2004 figures are up almost 50 per cent on the same event last year - with very few spaces left available.

The unprecedented interest in the Dubai 7s firmly underlines the tournament's position as the region's leading sporting and social occasion attracting competitors from across the globe.

In the ladies event, the competition has intensified with the number of teams competing rising by 50 per cent to 12, including international squads representing England, Samoa and Switzerland.

The Under-19 event will also see 12 teams in action as opposed to eight in 2003, with new sides representing Wales, Pakistan and Kenya, while two teams from Beirut featuring all-Lebanese sides will make their competitive debuts in Dubai in the Gulf competition.

'Obviously a great deal of attention will be on the international sides such as defending champions South Africa in the Emirates International Trophy, but the other competitions being played alongside the main event are just as important to the success of the Sevens,' added Chapman.

'This is one of the biggest tournaments of its kind anywhere in the world with a great deal of its success down to the participation of so many teams from different nations - we are delighted that this year a record number of them will help make the 2004 Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby 7s the biggest and best ever staged.'