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Rugby chiefs believe a successful Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament in Dubai could be crucial in persuading the IOC to put Sevens in the 2016 Olympic Games programme. The World Cup Sevens is just six weeks away with a new stadium, ‘The Sevens’, the hosts.

IOC officials will arrive in Dubai for the World Cup in March to assess the popularity of the sport and the huge logistical operation required behind the scenes to ensure the smooth running of a tournament, according to Golf News. 

Rugby is among seven disciplines fighting for the two available spots at the 2016 Games and Bernard Lapasset, chairman of the Rugby World Cup Limited, feels the event in Dubai will be key to helping the decision-makers decide in favour of the sport.

The World Cup Sevens will be held at The Sevens from March 5 to 7.

Lapasset said: "It is going to be a wonderful event with the best of both men's and women's players lining up. We are continuing our drive to get the sevens game into the Olympics and this event will play an important role in promoting rugby at its very best."

Dubai is set to make history as host of the first-ever women's tournament, and Lapasset added that the inaugural 16-team women's competition will be equally thrilling and competitive as the men's event, and will featuring the best female players in the world.

"Now that the draw is complete, we can turn our attention to kick-off on March 5.

"Dubai has a rich history of delivering exceptional sevens tournaments in the past and travelling fans can look forward to a tournament that will deliver world class rugby on the pitch and incredible entertainment for all the family off the pitch," he added.

New Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union (AGRFU) chairman Andrew Cole has little time to settle down with his plans chalked out for the three-day spectacle.

“The first thing we've got to do is to make sure that it’s a success - it’s an opportunity for us to help rugby worldwide get into the Olympics,” said Cole speaking to Dubai's XPRESS.

“It’s going to be the biggest event that we will probably ever stage here. It could be many years before that comes around again. So we have to build on that profile. There are a lot of encouraging things going on around with nationals, not just in the UAE but also in Saudi Arabia and some of the other countries in the territory.

“Going forward, the reason I have been brought into the AGRFU is the commercial aspect. We need to raise awareness of rugby and raise the profile so we can brand the sport throughout the region. That’s what my goal is really,” added Cole.

The event also marks the inauguration of a Women’s event at the World Cup; another important step in helping the sport to realise the Olympic dream.

"While both draws look extremely competitive, I am especially looking forward to watching the inaugural women's competition,” said Lapasset.

"The women's game is experiencing unprecedented global growth at the moment and standards are raising year on year. It is going to be extremely difficult to call who will be crowned the first Women's Rugby World Cup Sevens champions."