Asia Rugby Approves New Operations Office in Dubai

The Asia Rugby Council has approved the establishment of an operations office in Dubai while retaining its legal headquarters in Hong Kong.
The decision was ratified during a videoconference meeting chaired by Qais Al Dhalai, with 27 of the 28 member unions present voting in support of the proposal. The move is intended to strengthen operational and financial efficiency while improving communication with national rugby unions across Asia.
The new office will operate from the headquarters of the UAE Olympic Committee in Dubai. The arrangement follows an agreement signed with the UAE government in mid-2022.
Al Dhalai said the decision represents a significant step in the development of rugby across Asia, adding that the new office reflects the confidence of member unions in strengthening the organisation’s institutional framework and operational capabilities. He also acknowledged support from the UAE government and from Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, along with the UAE Ministry of Sport and its minister Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi.
The Dubai office is expected to support Asia Rugby’s administrative coordination and operational planning as the organisation continues to expand the sport’s footprint across the continent.