JEDDAH, 30 November 2006 — After their final training session on Tuesday evening, the Saudi Scorpions rugby team feel ready for the fray. Clear of injuries and keen to take on the stiff competition present in the world famous event, the all Saudi team is set to raise some eyebrows.
“If you had asked me three months ago whether `I was nervous,” said Ahmed -El Maghraby, “ I would have said very.” Since then the team has trained together at least three times a week and has put a great deal of commitment into their game. “We are confident at the moment,” he said, “We are out to have fun and to give the tournament our best shot.”
Tameem Al Shubaily only started playing seven-a-side rugby about three months ago after being brought up on American football. He was enthusiastic about the prospect of meeting tough opposition.
“We are going there to win,” he said. “I wouldn’t go any other way.” He finds the challenge of seven-a-side rugby more interesting than the US game. “It’s faster, fewer rules than American football. However there is no padding, but they don’t hit as hard either.”
The Scorpions have grown in their rugby talent over the year. Previous tournaments were tough on the team — but, said Shubaily, they are a lot more talented and there is a positive attitude towards winning.
Muhammad Kashogggi was enthusiastic about running out against serious opposition. “We have done a lot of training together, there’s been a lot of effort.” The teams he said were quite strong in the competition, “but we are just going to give it our best and have some fun as well.”
The team was indebted to the Jeddah Rugby Club with whom they train and who have coached them for some time. Ironically, the Scorpions could meet their mentors some of whom will be playing in the Saudi Select team.
“They are good people — but that’s the nature of the game,” said El Maghraby. “On the pitch you are enemies — but off the pitch you are best friends. Everyone is professional enough that no one gets too aggressive; we all keep it clean.”
Reaction from Saudis to the very existence of a Saudi rugby team has been strong. Muhammad Zahid, the team captain said there had been a lot of support. There will be a strong contingent at the matches to support the team.
El Maghraby said that frequently the reaction from people when told of a Saudi rugby team is one of incredulity. “They say: “What? Is this a joke?””
The Scorpions played Bahrain Rugby Club last week who, he said, expected a walkover. “We shook them up and did tremendously. They were shell-shocked.”
Maghrabi Optical, the team’s main sponsor, has no doubts about the Scorpions’ potential. They have backed the team from the start and hope to help raise the profile of the game in the Kingdom through their example.
It will be tough, however. The Scorpions have been drawn in Group A alongside Dubai 1, winners of their section of the Dubai Stournament seven times in the last eight years. The team was ready to take up that challenge; hard fast and in for the kill was the focus. “We’ll try to make it to the final.”
Hopefully there will be a few surprises in Dubai. “We just have to focus and keep our minds on the game. We have never played in front of big crowds before,” said Ell Maghraby, “but once the whistle goes, your nerves go and the game is everything.”
