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The UAE Rugby Federation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Lebanese Rugby Federation in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, in a step aimed at strengthening mutual cooperation and developing the sport of rugby.
The signing ceremony was attended by Mohammed Sultan Al Zaabi, Secretary General of the UAE Rugby Federation, and Saud Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Board Member of the Federation and Secretary General of the Arab Rugby Federation. Representing the Lebanese side were Mohammed Assi, President of the Lebanese Rugby Federation; Ibrahim Kothrani, Vice President; and Eagle Zreik, Secretary General of the Federation.
The ceremony was held in the presence of several sports figures, led by Jihad Salameh, President of the Lebanese Olympic Committee, along with committee member Nazaret Habibian, Dr. Naji Hamoud, Director General of Sports Facilities, and Ziad Saadeh, President of the University Sports Federation. Also in attendance were Rabee Al Masri, President of the Palestinian Rugby Federation, Zakaria Sharrara, Head of Sports Activities at the Arab Open University, in addition to a number of athletes and media representatives.
Both sides affirmed that the MoU comes within the framework of supporting the development of rugby and enhancing the exchange of expertise between the two federations, contributing to the promotion of the sport and raising its standards across the Arab region.
Mohammed Assi, President of the Lebanese Rugby Federation, welcomed the UAE delegation, stressing that signing the MoU with the UAE Rugby Federation represents an important step toward developing the game. He expressed his hope that this cooperation would yield positive results benefiting rugby in both countries, and praised the efforts of Qais Al Dhalai, President of the Arab and Asian Rugby Federations, in supporting, promoting, and developing the sport across the region.
For his part, Mohammed Sultan Al Zaabi, Secretary General of the UAE Rugby Federation, expressed his pleasure at signing the MoU with the Lebanese Rugby Federation, emphasizing the importance of strengthening the constructive cooperation with Arab federations to help spread and develop rugby and elevate its level in the region.
Al Zaabi explained that the MoU falls within a clear strategy adopted by the UAE Rugby Federation, based on building effective partnerships with as many sister and friendly federations as possible, contributing to the exchange of expertise and the development of technical and administrative systems.
He noted that the Federation places great importance on joint Arab cooperation as a fundamental pillar for promoting rugby and raising its standards in the region, pointing out that such MoUs open new horizons for national teams and technical staff, and enhance opportunities to organize joint programs, training camps, and tournaments that serve all parties.
He added that the UAE Rugby Federation continues to operate according to a strategic vision aimed at expanding the base of rugby participation, supporting sustainable development pathways, and building long-term relationships with Arab and international federations, positively reflecting on the future of both Emirati and Arab rugby.
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