IRB Chairman, Dr Syd Millar made the announcement at the IRB’s meeting of Council in Dublin following a vote that brought to a close the selection process that began in June 2006.
The voting process was managed by independent auditors, Price Waterhouse Coopers, and consisted of two rounds. No clear majority was reached in the first round and therefore the top two; Arabian Gulf and Australia progressed to a second round, with the IRB Council selecting Arabian Gulf as Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 Host Union.
“The Council members were extremely impressed with the Arabian Gulf Rugby Union bid and I am sure that Dubai will host a wonderful Tournament having staged a highly successful IRB Under 19 World Championship in 2006,” said Dr Millar. “The people of Dubai will, of course, embrace the Rugby World Cup Sevens, but the same could be said for Australia, Russia, the Netherlands and USA, who all presented a strong case to host the 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. There is a strong Rugby Community within the city and the annual Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens has grown to become one of the most popular, colourful and well attended on the IRB World Sevens Series calendar, attracting capacity crowds. I am sure that Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 in Dubai will be a spectacular Tournament,” added Dr Millar.
