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Tribune News Network
Doha
All things being equal, rugby fans in Qatar are set to see rugby league national teams of Fiji, Tonga and Samoa in actions for the very first time in the country during a competition scheduled for early 2018, Michael Ibrahim, founder and CEO of Aqeeq Holdings LLC, has said.
Ibrahim noted that negotiations are in top gear between the sport's governing body International Rugby League Federation (IRLF), the governments of the three islands and his company.
The Australian entrepreneur has been having months of intense discussions with the IRLF and the Pacific Islands National Rugby League conglomerates aimed at playing some of their matches in Doha next year that also involves a Qatar select team.
"We are very close to finalising the deal and I'm happy to say that all indications are pointing to a very strong interests from all concerned parties," he said.
Ibrahim said,"With Qatar's resilience to the current blockade it's important for the country to continue to progress and strive for more greatness. Rugby League is the greatest game in rugby and it is a great privilege staging such as event in Doha."
Aqeeq Holdings operates and deals with many of Qatar's elite corporations including Amwaj Catering Services.
"Amwaj is a very reliant and professional establishment with outstanding quality service. We find them easy to deal with and very proficient," Ibrahim said.
Despite the myrid of Qatar business relations"It is the Emir of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani that I admire the most," Ibrahim said.
When asked about the facilities of choice for the international rugby league matches Ibrahim said,"Qatar is not short of quality infrastructure and stadiums. It hosted the Asia games in 2006 and it will be entertaining the biggest sports event in the world - FIFA 2022 World Cup."
Rugby League is a full contact sport governed by the International Rugby League Federation (RLIF). Though similar to rugby - rugby league has notable rule differences including but not limited to the following; 13 players per team, there are no mauls or lines outs, each team has six tackles to score or advance field position after which the play must be handed over to the opposition, four points is awarded for a try not five points and the field goal is one point not three points.
Rugby league is a popular sport in Africa, Australia, China, Europe, France, New Zealand, UK, the Americas, Lebanon, Philippines, UAE, USA, the Cooks Island, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Niue, Tokelau, Solomon Islands and is the national sport of Papua New Guinea.
The European Super League and the National Rugby League (NRL) are the premier club competitions. Rugby league is played internationally, predominantly by European, Australasian and Pacific Island countries.
The first Rugby League World Cup was held in France in 1954, and the most recent final was played in Brisbane, Australia December 2, 2017; the current holders are Australia with 10 world cup victories.
The first Rugby League World Cup was held in France in 1954, and the most recent final was played in Brisbane, Australia December 2, 2017; the current holders are Australia with 10 world cup victories.
