Abu Dhabi to host jiu-jitsu world championship

Dubai: The programme for the World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship (WPJJC) in Abu Dhabi next April has been announced.

The event will be held under the patronage of His Highness General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, over four days between April 10 to 13, the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Committee (UAEJJC) said.

The competitions on day one will be dedicated to the World Jiu-Jitsu Cup for children, while day two will witness the preliminary competition for white and blue belts.

On the third day, the preliminary competitions for purple, brown and black belts will be held, while the finals will take place on day four.

Seven sports clubs in the UAE have announced that jiu-jitsu is now one of the activities they cover. They are: Al Jazira, Al Ain, Al Wahda, Bani Yas and Al Dhafra in Abu Dhabi, Al Wasl in Dubai and Emirates Club in Ras Al Khaimah.

The details of the event were revealed at a press conference held at Emirates Palace Hotel on Tuesday, which was attended by His Excellency Mohammad Bin Thaloub Al Direi, President of the UAE Wrestling, Judo, Jiu-Jitsu and Kickboxing federation and His Excellency Mohammad Ibrahim Al Mahmoud, Vice-Chairman of the General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare and Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council. They were joined by a number of jiu-jitsu players and stakeholders and UAEJJC officials.

“The jiu-jitsu new season will be full of activities and challenges, both at local and international levels, which is good news for UAE sport,” Al Direi said.

“Abu Dhabi will be an important base for this, providing all necessary ingredients for success,” Al Mahmoud told Gulf News.

Al Mahmoud also pointed out that the support and sponsorship provided to jiu-jitsu at the highest level has helped the sport become one of the most popular sports in the UAE.

Al Mahmoud added: “I call on sports clubs to play their part in supporting and adopting the sport, making use of the great success already achieved and massive popularity this pursuit enjoys.”

Meanwhile, it has also been announced that the second edition of the Abu Dhabi International Sports Exhibition (ADISE) 2013 will be held simultaneously with the WPJJC from April 8 to 11 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, in halls 10 and 11.

ADISE represents one of the most important sports events in the region and will host the biggest players in the world of sport, such as service and equipment providers, sports federations, associations and clubs and sports-related government entities.

“We are planning to invite sports stakeholders from inside and outside the UAE to take part in this event, in parallel with a big number of activities, shows, entertainment and international sport conferences, where representatives of world sports brands will discuss several topics and development of sports in the region,” Al Direi said.