10,000 male and female players from more than 130 countries compete in the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship

ABU DHABI, 6th November, 2017 (WAM) – Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the activities of the seventeenth edition of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, the most prominent and largest event on the global jiu-jitsu agenda, will be launched during the period from 12 to 22 November at the Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City.

The organizing committee announced the closing of registration after the number of participants reached 10,000 male and female players from more than 130 countries, in a new achievement that establishes the tournament’s most important status on the global jiu-jitsu agenda. This unprecedented turnout embodies the growing confidence in the tournament and its exceptional organization at all levels, and confirms its pioneering role in attracting the most prominent talents and consolidating Abu Dhabi’s position as the global capital of jiu-jitsu.

The details of the seventeenth edition of the tournament were announced during an expanded press conference held today at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of His Excellency Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice President of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and Chairman of the Championship Organizing Committee, His Excellency Mohammed bin Dalmouj Al Dhaheri, Member of the Federation’s Board of Directors, His Excellency Arif Hamad Al Awani, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, His Excellency Saeed Ali Al Fazari, Executive Director of the Strategic Affairs Sector at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, and Fahd Ali. Al Shamsi, Secretary General of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, Mr. Yacoub Al Saadi, President of Abu Dhabi Sports Channels, Saed Hejazi Salama, General Manager of Jaguar Land Rover Sales at Premier Motors, and Marwa Al Rahma, Vice President and Head of the Community Initiatives Department at First Abu Dhabi Bank.

His Excellency Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice President of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and Chairman of the Championship Organizing Committee, extended his sincere thanks, appreciation and gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, for his great support and generous patronage of the sport of Jiu-Jitsu.

His Excellency explained that this support formed the basis that turned the dream into reality, and made the UAE a global leader in this sport with its results, achievements and excellence.

He also extended his thanks and gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, for his sound guidance and continuous follow-up that strengthened the status of Jiu-Jitsu and made it a successful national project with distinction that embodies the personality of the Emirati citizen and his ability to create and excel.

Al Dhaheri said: “In this regard, I cannot fail to extend a tribute of appreciation and pride to the male and female players of our national team, who raised the nation’s flag in all forums, the most recent of which is the ongoing World Championship in Thailand, where they excelled in their performance, and shone with their discipline and results. We are proud of you and always look forward to more from you. We also thank the players’ families for their support and support, as they are true partners in every achievement, and we value the efforts of the technical and administrative staff and the federation’s staff who work in the spirit of “One team.”

He added that the seventeenth edition of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship is the largest in the history of the tournament, with the participation of 10,000 male and female players from various countries of the world.

He welcomed everyone to the Emirates, the land of creativity, giving and tolerance, and wished them all good luck and success. He said: “Our first priority will be for every participant in the tournament to feel that he is in his homeland and among his family and lovers.”

His Excellency Arif Hamad Al Awani, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “The Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship represents one of the most prominent platforms that embodies the vision of the capital Abu Dhabi in consolidating its position as a global destination for sports, and a center that embraces jiu-jitsu champions from all over the world. The tournament has become a role model for organization and excellence, thanks to the support of the wise leadership and the close partnership with the Emirates Jiu-Jitsu Federation. We are proud that Abu Dhabi is an incubator for this noble sport.” Which establishes the values of discipline, excellence and tolerance, and continues to create future champions with the spirit of challenge and determination that distinguishes the people of the Emirates.”

His Excellency Saeed Ali Al Fazari, Executive Director of the Strategic Affairs Sector at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said: “At the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, we realize the importance of sports, as it is not only an entertainment activity, but an essential pillar in building people and society, and a major driver of economic and social growth. From this standpoint, the Department continues to support a wide range of diverse sporting events that contribute to consolidating the emirate’s position as a global sports center. These events embody the essence of our vision in supporting sports. Which promotes human values such as discipline, respect, commitment and responsibility, which are the values that represent the spirit of our Emirati society. Abu Dhabi has proven its ability to organize and host the most prominent sporting and cultural events in the world thanks to world-class infrastructure and exceptional hospitality experiences.”

Yacoub Al Saadi, President of Abu Dhabi Sports Channels, said: “The Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship represents an exceptional event that embodies the capital Abu Dhabi’s vision of reaching the summit and confirming its status as a global capital of Jiu-Jitsu and a premier destination for world champions. We at Abu Dhabi Sports Channels are proud to be the witness and narrator of the progress of this global event, through comprehensive coverage that presents an image that befits its importance, through the latest broadcasting and live interaction technologies. Our channels will accompany the tournament with analytical programs and specialized studios.” And special reports to follow up on the players’ performance and convey their inspiring stories, in addition to documentary works that chronicle the tournament’s journey and commemorate the names of its heroes, which reflects our commitment to conveying the full picture of the greatness of this event and its place in the hearts of fans around the world.”

For his part, Saed Hejazi Salama, General Manager of Jaguar Land Rover Sales at Premier Motors, said: “We are proud of our extended partnership with the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship for the fourteenth year in a row, as an exclusive automotive partner and one of the first supporters of this sport since its inception in the UAE. We are proud to be part of this prestigious sporting event that embodies the values of excellence, discipline and determination. With the launch of this year’s edition, we continue our commitment.” “By supporting the tournament by providing a fleet of Defender cars to transport international and local players, ensuring the comfort and smoothness of their transportation and giving them an exceptional experience that reflects the spirit of the brand.”

Marwa Al Rahma, Vice President and Head of the Community Initiatives Department at First Abu Dhabi Bank, said: “We are proud of our ongoing partnership with the Emirates Jiu-Jitsu Federation, which embodies First Abu Dhabi Bank’s commitment to contributing to community development and youth empowerment. Through our support of the federation’s championships and the First Abu Dhabi Bank Jiu-Jitsu Academy, we have contributed to increasing the demand for this sport, bringing the number of those joining the academy since the launch of our partnership to more than 2,000 male and female students who regularly train in the sport. Jiu-Jitsu Arts… This partnership expresses our vision in promoting a healthy lifestyle and consolidating positive national values, in line with the directives of the wise leadership and the role of sports in building an ambitious generation that will raise the UAE flag in global forums.”

In his speech, Fahd Ali Al Shamsi reviewed the most important developments in the seventeenth edition of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, explaining that it is witnessing a record participation of 10,000 male and female players from more than 130 countries, and 730 clubs and academies from various parts of the world, including a female percentage of 32% and 60% of the total participants from outside the country. He stressed that these numbers reflect global confidence.

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