It was interesting to read that the United Arab Emirates are keen to get in on the fun and host a Rugby League World Cup. I have and will continue to throw all my weight in behind rugby league getting more exposure, that is part of the reason why the Niche Cache exists, but a World Cup in the UAE wouldn't exactly help that process along.

The president of UAE Rugby League, Sol Mokdad, believes that the UAE has the infrastructure to host a successful World Cup while also being perfectly situated halfway between Europe and Australia. First of all we need to remember that the Rugby League World Cup isn't exactly one of the bigger sporting events in the world, so it doesn't take a whole lot of infrastructure to host it. Secondly, who really cares if the UAE is handy to the two parts of the world that play rugby league? That's never really been an issue or factor in hosting a World Cup of any sort. 

It does feel odd for me as someone who wants to see rugby league played by more nations, to nip this in the bud rather quickly. When looking at expanding the horizons of the sport, you first need to provide a goal for teams to strive for or provide a platform for them to perform and invigorate the rest of their nation. That's why World Cups are such awesome tournaments and it's why the cricket World Cup desperately needs to keep a variety of 'minnow' teams involved. To restrict World Cups of sports that are very, very minor in the world of sport to just the best teams is incredibly short sighted and you need these smaller nations involved, they have to start somewhere.

The Rugby League World Cup gives teams like the USA, Ireland, Scotland and Italy the opportunity to play on the world stage, an opportunity that unfortunately doesn't present itself enough. That's where expansion of rugby league needs to take place, not taking the tournament to a part of the world where it has zero profile.

We all know that the UAE wants to get knee deep in hosting sporting events. It seems like their collective life goal is to become a world sporting powerhouse, but hosting a Rugby League World Cup in the UAE would be a backwards step. You would be taking the game away from rugby league fans, those who will pack out a stadium and buy plenty of merchandise. Instead, you will be taking the game to empty stadiums and a nation that couldn't give  rats backside about the plight of the sport. 

Rugby league doesn't have many nations who legitimately deserve to host a World Cup. Aotearoa, Australia, England, France and possibly Italy could all make a play at hosting a World Cup in my eyes because they will offer a solid platform for the smaller nations to come and enjoy rugby league. I think we sometimes lack perspective with rugby league and we need to nail down holding super successful World Cups where the minnows are celebrated and enjoyed while also looking after the major nations.

Look at the USA, would I want them to host a World Cup in 2017? No, they need to play in the 2017 World Cup and continue their great work in building the profile of the game before we look at them as an option. The same can be said about South Africa, they need to first of all qualify for the 2017 World Cup and show that they are serious about rugby league before they can be genuinely considered to host the World Cup. 2017 will see Australia and Aotearoa host the World Cup which will allow these smaller nations another opportunity to take steps forward, to play against their idols in front of fans who love the sport. 

To grow the game, we need fantastic World Cup's where a festival atmosphere is present and stadiums are packed. Sure, the UAE might be a nice destination for fans but you can't tell me that these World Cup games will be played in front of a full house. Or that games between Australia and Tonga will have any sort of atmosphere. We've got to look after what we currently have and welcome nations into the sport, not go out and take it to people who have no history of supporting it.

Mr Mokdad, maybe you should focus on getting a side from the UAE into the World Cup.