EMIRATES BECOMES TITLE SPONSOR OF SOUTH AFRICAN RUGBY 7s

Emirates, the award winning international airline, has announced its title sponsorship of the Durban 7s, which forms part of the International Rugby Board's World Sevens Series. The move sees the airline increasing its support of the sport with which it has enjoyed a long association, sponsoring the Dubai Rugby 7s since 1987.

The Emirates Airline Durban 7s will take place at the Absa Stadium in Durban, South Africa, from 16-18 November and forms the second leg of the IRB World Sevens Series. The series kicks-off with the Dubai 7s from 7-9 November.

Emirates will provide the link between the two tournaments, flying the 16 competing teams from destinations as far afield as Australia and the UK, to Dubai for the opening round and then on to South Africa for the second leg of the Series.

Emirates began its involvement with the South African leg of the Series last year when it became Official Carrier in a three-year deal which has now been upgraded to title sponsorship.

Gary Chapman, Chief Director, Support and Development at Emirates says the airline is pleased to be increasing its association in this way: "Sevens rugby is fast and entertaining and we firmly believe that it will continue to grow in popularity. Emirates is delighted to be extending its support of rugby sevens and we very much look forward to working with the South Africans, sharing the knowledge we have gathered from our successful involvement with the Dubai tournament."

Gary Grant, SA Rugby (Pty) Ltd, GM of Marketing added: "We are very pleased that a high profile sponsor such as Emirates has increased its sponsorship to become title sponsor of the Durban event. Sevens rugby has been identified as one of the most important forms of the game because of its ability to attract new players and spectators to rugby as a whole. The hosting of an international event such as the Emirates Durban 7s is helping us to lift the profile of this exciting sport and, we hope, will contribute to the growth of the sevens game in years to come."

The IRB World Rugby Sevens Series takes in tournaments in 11 countries around the world including events in Argentina, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and culminating in the Wales 7s in Spring 2002.