Abu Dhabi: The UAE jiu jitsu team, comprising 21 players, has reached Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, to prepare in earnest ahead of the Asian Indoor Games.
The delegation, headed by Yousuf Al Beloushi, Technical Director of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, includes Shaikha Al Suwaidi as supervisor for the girls’ team, and coaches Roberto Lima, Enrique Zizendi, and Jesseca Vitoria besides 14 male players and seven women.
The men’s team consists of Obaid Al Nuaimi and Omar Al Fadhli in the 56 kg division, Zayed Al Mansouri and Saeed Al Mazroui in 62 kg, Taleb Al Karbi and Ebrahim Al Hosani in 69 kg, Mohammad Al Qubaisi and Saoud Al Hamadi in 77 kg, Saeed Al Suwaidi and Khalfan Balhool in 85 kg, Faisal Al Ketbi and Mubarak Amro in 94 kg, and Zayed Al Kaabi and Yahya Al Hamadi in 110 kg. In the open weight category, the UAE’s hopes will be carried forward by Faisal Al Ketbi and Yahya Al Hamadi.
The girls team is represented by Mouza Al Shamsi and Dima Al Yafei in 49 kg, Reem Al Hashemi and Mahra Al Hanaei in 55 kg, Bashayer Al Matroushi and Hessa Thani in 62 kg, and Salwa Al Ali in above 70 kg.
UAE ace Al Ketbi reaffirmed the readiness of all players in the national team and their strong determination to come back with trophies. “The high expectations expressed by the officials at the Olympic Committee motivate us to work hard and reach the coronation day with our national anthem playing loudly in Ashgabat,” he said.
“From the start of this season, we have been performing well, be it in the International Championship in Poland, the Asian Games in Vietnam, or the 20-day training camp in Rio De Janeiro. We have been preparing hard and we are ready to represent our country in this continental event. Our goal is gold and nothing less, as it is in all tournaments we take part in.”
He added: “All players in the team realise the importance of our mission in this championship and they are carrying the hopes and aspirations of all Emiratis. We have a great chance to raise our national flag high among the nations of Asia, and this is something we will work hard for. It is an opportunity for us to repay our homeland and our great leadership, as well as our beloved national federation.”
