Regulation of the Tug-of-War Championship

Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament 2026

1. General Conditions
   1. The Tug of War championship will be held from 1 - 6/3/2026.
   2. The technical meeting will be held on Thursday 26/2/2026.
   3. Participation in the tournament is allowed for all citizens and residents from within the country according to the categories shown below.
   4. Each government entity is allowed to participate with only one team.
   5. The participating player is required to be medically and physically fit and at his personal responsibility, and his registration in the tournament is considered an acknowledgment to the effect of that, and for the junior category, an acknowledgment must be signed by the team manager that the players are medically and physically fit.
   6. The technical committee of the tournament has the right to take all decisions and procedures that would organize the tournament as desired, including amending the schedule of matches.
2. Special conditions
   1. The team consists of (12) players (8 starting and 4 substitutes), and a technical and administrative staff consisting of (Administrator, and Instructor).
   2. Each team participates with a maximum of 8 players in the match, provided that their weight does not exceed 720 kg for adults and 450 kg for juniors, in addition to the guide (who does not fall within the weight and tension), and each team has the right to change the number of (2) players after the end of each round.
   3. The minimum number allowed to hold the match is (6) players.
   4. All players must be present in the weight zone at least (60) minutes before the start of the matches to review the ID cards and clothes and weigh the weight.
   5. The main referee may end any of the rounds if the teams are late to attend the field by (5) minutes.
   6. Each team must adhere to a uniform (trousers, shirt, sports or military shoes without nails), with the numbering of the shirts of the players from (1-25) except for the instructor.
3. Tournament Categories
   1. Government Departments and Entities Category. Teams of government, semi-government departments, and private sector Entities are allowed to participate in this category, with a total of (12) teams.
   2. Community Category. Participation in this category is allowed for community teams, with a total of (24) teams.
   3. Junior category. Participation in this category is allowed for juniors aged 11-15 years born (2010-2014) with a total of (12) teams.
4. Tournament System
   1. The first stage: the group league. The participating teams are distributed into groups and each group consists of (4) teams, and the matches are held in a one-round league system to determine the positions and qualify the teams for the second stage as shown below:

      Category	Teams	Qualification system for the second stage
      Government Departments and Entities Category	12	The first and second of each group in addition to the best two triads.
      Community Category - Male	24	The first and second of each group in addition to the best four triads.
      Junior category	12	The first and second of each group in addition to the best two triads.

   2. The second stage: a one-time knockout. Matches are played in a knockout system where the winning teams qualify for the next rounds.
   3. The two winning teams in the semifinals qualify to play the final match to determine the first and second places, and the two losing teams play the match to determine the third and fourth places.
5. Match System
   1. The match consists of three rounds (Pulls), and the winning team how wins two of three rounds of the match.
   2. A three-minute break is given between the rounds. Then, the main referee whistles to prepare for the next round. The assistant referees have the right to review the names of the teams before each round.
   3. A mark shall be placed on the rope in the middle and two marks on the sides, each at (2) meters from the middle, and marks shall be placed on the ground at the level of the rope marks.
   4. If the team's players go out with (4) or more during the competition from the straight sideline, the team is considered a loser of the round.
   5. The pull begins when the whistle is heard from the main referee as each team begins to pull the other team into its area until the opposing team's mark crosses the midfield.
   6. During the pull, if one of the players sits or puts his knee on the ground, the assistant referees have the right to give a first warning, and in case of repetition, a second warning is given and the round ends with the loss of the offending team.
   7. Instructors must adhere to their allocated area on the field when instructing and commanding the team during play.
   8. If the two teams continue to pull for ten minutes and one does not beat the other, the round will be paused, given a three-minute rest and then the round will resume.
   9. The round will not be stopped if a player suffers a muscle strain unless there is a serious injury that requires the intervention of paramedics, the main referee will decide.
   10. The team is considered a loser with a score of (2/0) in the event of withdrawal or the lack of (6) players at the specified time for weight or match, and the team is fined (1000) dirhams.
   11. In the event of the participation of a player who is not entitled to participate, the team is considered a loser of the rounds in which the offending player participated.
6. Technical conditions
   1. Digging into the ground is not allowed.
   2. It is not allowed to make knots in the rope.
   3. When standing in the field, touching or lifting the rope is only allowed after the order has been given to the two teams by the main referee.
   4. The team instructor is not allowed to touch the rope or any of the players.
   5. It is not allowed to sit or put the knee on the floor.
   6. The last player is allowed to wrap the rope around the trunk.
   7. The main referee may suspend any player who behaves improperly before the start of the match or when weighing (in which case he can be replaced).
   8. When the match starts, no one except the players and the instructor has the right to be on the pitch.
7. Venue and timings of the tournament
   1. The tournament will be held at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex on the beach soccer courts.
   2. The technical committee will determine the dates of the matches according to the number of teams. The Teams will be informed during the technical meeting that precedes the tournament.
8. Calculating results and prizes
   1. The winning team gets two points while the losing team gets no points.
   2. The teams with the highest points qualify for the second stage as shown in the championship categories, and if two or more teams are tied in points, the difference in the rounds is appealed, and if the tie continues, the result of the match of the two teams is returned together, and if the tie continues, the draw is resorted to.
   3. The top three teams award medals (gold, silver, and bronze) to all categories.
   4. Cash prizes are awarded to the top three places in each category.
9. Registration
   1. Registration will open on 08/12/2025 and go on until 21/2/2026.
   2. Teams participating in the Government Departments and Entities Category must submit an official authorized list of the names of the team members, and all participants in all categories must present their Emirates ID upon request.
   3. To register in the junior category, the age of the administrator and coach must be over 18 years old.
   4. Teams must deposit an amount of (3000) three thousand dirhams (cash or by check) in the name of the team manager as a security to ensure participation and commitment to the tournament system, and it is paid during the team’s registration period and is refunded within a period of 10 days after the end of the tournament.
   5. For inquiries about registration for the tug of war tournament:
      • Email: [email protected]
      • Mobile: 0545839463
10. Protests
    1. Protests are presented by a team instructor only, and this is applied within five minutes of the end of the match.
    2. Protests shall not be accepted in form unless they are submitted with an amount of (500) Dirhams to be received in the event of acceptance of the protest and to the organizing committee in case of rejection.
    3. Only the Technical Committee is competent to interpret the regulations and laws and to take appropriate decisions, and in all cases these decisions are final.