The West Asia Rugby Alliance (WARA) brought together seven of its members in Aqaba, Jordan, for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening rugby development and regional cooperation across West Asia.
All seven members participating in the signing ceremony were also competing in the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Trophy – West & Central 2026, held in Aqaba on 6–7 November. The Alliance’s four remaining members are expected to sign the MoU virtually, bringing the total number of participating members to 11.
The ceremony was attended by Qais Al Dhalai, President of Asia Rugby, Abdallah Jammal, Asia Rugby Executive Committee Member and Coordinator of the WARA Management Team, and Benjamin van Rooyen, Chief Executive Officer of Asia Rugby.
The signing took place alongside the tournament, marking the first time Jordan Rugby has hosted an Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Tournament event.
Jordan Rugby was represented by its President, Feisal Alsadoun, alongside Mohamed Anwar, General Manager of the Bahrain Rugby Football Association; Hussein Ammar, Vice President of Iraq Rugby Federation; Eagle Zreik, Secretary General of Lebanon Rugby; Brian Hopkins, General Manager of Oman Rugby; Waleed Abdullah Ahmed Yosef, Vice President of Saudi Arabia Rugby Federation; and Mohamed Jarkou, Secretary General of Syria Rugby.
WARA Outlines 2027 Competition Programme
During the ceremony, Abdallah Jammal outlined WARA’s proposed 2027 competition programme, which includes both fifteens and sevens competitions hosted by three member unions.
The proposed programme includes:
- Saudi Arabia: A three-team fifteens competition involving Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Syria.
- Bahrain: A three-team fifteens competition involving Bahrain, Jordan and Qatar.
- Qatar: A regional sevens competition involving 11 WARA members.
The MoU provides a framework for members to coordinate competitions, share technical expertise and strengthen cooperation in coaching, match officiating, administration and rugby education.
The initiative aims to create more regular playing opportunities for men’s and women’s teams, strengthen the capabilities of participating unions and support their progression into Asia Rugby competitions.
Abdallah Jammal, Coordinator of the WARA Management Team:
“The signing in Aqaba gives all 11 members a shared commitment to build on. In 2027, we plan to bring six unions together for fifteens competitions in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, followed by a regional sevens competition in Qatar.
“Having three unions host competitions gives more members a direct role in delivering the programme and provides more teams with opportunities to compete.”
Kuwait to Join WARA
WARA also announced plans to welcome Kuwait as its 11th member.
Kuwait’s participation will provide opportunities for closer cooperation with neighbouring rugby unions, including access to regional development initiatives, technical education and competition planning.
The Alliance comprises of Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria and the United Arab Emirates.
Asia Rugby Welcomes Regional Cooperation
Asia Rugby has welcomed WARA’s initiative to strengthen regional rugby development, competitions and technical cooperation.
In a letter dated 2 November 2026, Asia Rugby President Qais Al Dhalai expressed support for the initiative and encouraged WARA to coordinate its proposed 2027 programme with Asia Rugby’s competition calendar and development priorities.
Asia Rugby also indicated its willingness to discuss possible technical assistance in match officiating, education, training and competition management, subject to available resources.
Qais Al Dhalai, President of Asia Rugby:
“When unions plan a regional calendar together, more teams have the opportunity to compete regularly, and more unions have the opportunity to host competitions. This is important for the development of both men’s and women’s rugby across West Asia.
It also creates opportunities for coaches, match officials and administrators to share knowledge, gain experience and strengthen the game across the region.
I welcome Kuwait’s proposed participation as a member of WARA and thank Jordan Rugby for bringing the unions together in Aqaba.
Asia Rugby looks forward to working with WARA on its proposed 2027 programme to ensure that regional competitions and education initiatives complement the wider development of rugby across Asia.”
