Heroes’ welcome for jiu-jitsu team returning from Ashgabat

Abu Dhabi: The UAE national jiu-jitsu team that won 15 medals at the Fifth Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games hosted in Turkmenistan’s capital Ashgabat received a grand welcome on their arrival at the Dubai International Airport.

The delegation was welcomed by members of the UAE National Jiu-Jitsu Federation, representatives from Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) and the General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare (GAYSW).

Arif Al Awani, Secretary General of ADSC, Khalid Al Midfa, Assistant Secretary General of GAYSW, Mohammad Salem Al Dhahri, Vice-President of UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and board member Yousuf Al Batran were also present.

“I would like to pass my most sincere congratulations to the UAE’s leadership, people, and sports professionals for this great achievement. Our champions come home today with prestigious medals and we remember the days when mere international participation was a goal. Our heroes have made this true with their excellence in jiu-jitsu, raising the name of the UAE up high on the world sports arena,” said Al Awani, who added that the achievements speaks volumes of UAE’s position as the world’s capital of jiu-jitsu.

UAE’s star Faisal Al Ketbi, who returned with a double gold, said about the achievement, “Our national team has come back having achieved great things, considering our 15-medal haul. I would like to thank our wise leadership for their continuous support and for encouraging jiu-jitsu at all levels, for enabling us to reach this remarkable position.”

Meanwhile, in athletics, Mayoof Hasan finished fifth in the 800m race for men finals clocking 1.51.68. Saud Al Zaabi also had to settle for the seventh spot in the 1500m, while Mohammad Al Mansouri and Nasser Al Mamari quit from the quarter-finals of the 200m race. Salah Al Deen Al Rimawi, member of the billiards team, lost to Jordanian Ahmad Ali 9-5.

“It was a great learning experience and when I was in the finals, I thought I would finish among the top three. I missed out but it’s a new record for me and from now I will intensify my effort to do better in the Jakarta Asian Games next year,” said Hasan.