The UAE Under 18 rugby sevens team left the field in Qingdao with a 26-0 win over Hong Kong, adding another trophy to their collection and showing just how far the country's youth rugby program has come.
This victory in the Asian Rugby Sevens Championship final is the UAE's third title at this age group, following wins in 2023 and 2024. The team didn't drop a match: they beat Kazakhstan, China Taipei, Uzbekistan, and hosts China in the group stage, then knocked out Malaysia 17-5 in the semi-final before shutting out Hong Kong in the final.
According to Asia Rugby, the U18 Sevens tournament in Qingdao is part of a broader series, with the next youth event scheduled for 5-6 September 2026 in the same region. This highlights China's role as a central hub for Asian youth rugby this season.
Leadership backing and long-term planning
The UAE Rugby Federation has made youth development a priority. Secretary General Mohamed Sultan Al Zaabi, who led the delegation in China, credited the team's success to steady support from the country's leadership and the federation's board, chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum. Al Zaabi put it plainly: "This third Asian title is the direct result of the resources and attention invested in our youth system. The work in age-group rugby is paying off."
He also pointed to the role of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister, for his "unlimited support for sport and athletes," and thanked the federation's board for keeping rugby and national teams at the top of their agenda. The message: this success is the result of a long-term plan, not just a lucky group of players.
On-field performance
Coach Andrew Jones and his assistants, Khaldoun Al Melih and Josh Evis, led a squad that won every match with discipline and control. In the final, the UAE's defense held firm and their attack found space, never letting Hong Kong into the game. Team manager Nizar Mehran and acting executive director Hazem Hassan were also part of the group in China, keeping things running smoothly throughout the tournament.
While the UAE U18 team dominated their age group, the senior UAE men's team finished 6th and the women's team 7th at the 2026 Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series opener in Suzhou. According to RugbyAsia247 and Sharjah24, the men's squad recorded group wins over Singapore and India, but fell to Korea and Thailand in the placement rounds, illustrating the gap between youth and senior results and the ongoing need for development at all levels.
RugbyAsia247 and Sharjah24
Al Zaabi praised the players: "Our players in Qingdao showed the mentality of champions. They delivered in every match, culminating in a dominant final. This group will form the backbone of our senior national team in the years ahead."
Women's team and the bigger picture
The UAE's women's Under 18 sevens team finished fifth this year, after winning three straight Asian titles from 2021 to 2023. While this result means a reset is needed, the foundation is still strong, with coach Ible Duvatola and his staff continuing to develop new talent.
For the UAE, these results are about more than medals. They reflect an effort to build a sporting identity and make sure investment in youth sport leads to international competitiveness. The federation's leadership is already looking ahead, with Al Zaabi calling this latest title "not the end point, but a new milestone in our development journey."
The federation isn't taking anything for granted. The focus remains on keeping the UAE at the top of Asian rugby and growing the pool of talent across all age groups. For a country that hasn't always been a rugby favorite, this run of youth success shows what targeted investment and steady leadership can achieve.
