West Asia Rugby Alliance (WARA) Formally Recognised

rugbyasia247 Posted On November 10, 2026

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West Asia Rugby Alliance (WARA) Formally Recognised

As we have reported over the months, the third sub-regional entity, the West Asia Rugby Alliance (WARA), has been formed and recognised by Asia Rugby, as an MoU was signed at the recently held Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Trophy – West & Central 2026.

Photo Credit: Asia Rugby

SEARF (South East Asia Rugby Federation) was the first to form, followed by CASA (Central Asia South Asia), and now WARA.

The West Asia Rugby Alliance consists of initially seven members who signed on in Jordan, with four more expected to do so in due course (virtually) for a total membership of 11 nations. The Alliance comprises Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria and the United Arab Emirates.

Kuwait was a surprise invited 11th alliance member.

The MoU signing was attended by the President of Asia Rugby, Qais Al Dhalai, as well as Abdallah Jammal, Asia Rugby Executive Committee Member and Coordinator of the WARA Management Team, and Benjamin van Rooyen, Chief Executive Officer of Asia Rugby.

Other representatives included: Jordan Rugby President, Feisal Alsadoun, 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).

Much like the other sub-regions, the group aims to create more regular playing opportunities for men’s and women’s teams.

For context, the creation of these sub-regions is not an initiative of Asia Rugby. SEARF formed due to the frustrations the regional unions had with the lack of opportunities (especially in XVs) from the regional governing body, and once it formed, it set in motion the creation of the other sub-regional bodies.

This in turn has also caused a re-look at the competition and pathway structure, which is due to be implemented in the coming years as this is seen as a more cost-effective and efficient means to run the tournaments.

So when Qais Al Dhalai, President of Asia Rugby, says the following, it needs to be understood that this isn’t some sort of grand plan that was envisioned, their hands were forced, but they have been supportive of the initiatives:

“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.”

WARA Competition Programme 2027

Abdallah Jammal outlined WARA’s proposed 2027 competition programme, which includes both fifteens and sevens competitions set to be hosted by three member unions.

“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.”

Although the details were thin, the following is planned:

Saudi Arabia: To host a 3-team fifteens competition involving Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Syria.
Bahrain: Host a 3-team fifteens competition involving Bahrain, Jordan and Qatar.
Qatar: Host a regional 7s competition involving 11 WARA members.

SEARF is currently involved in hosting the annual Unions Cup (Men’s XV), which has been held for three years and is next due to be held in the Philippines in mid-2027 (July 12-18), and the SEA Women’s XVs Championship, which launched in 2026 and is next due to be hosted from January 13-16, 2027, in New Clark City, the Philippines.

CASA held its first 7s tournament in 2026, but when we spoke to them, they are only planning on organising annual 7s senior and potentially age-grade 7s tournaments.