The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF) has unveiled its calendar of activities for 2019-2020, with the new season promising a busy campaign which will continue to develop the sport and feature the best athletes in the local and international scene.
The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation also announced the total value of the prizes for the 2019/2020 season a whopping Dhs.2.6 million, excluding the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship with its independent financial prizes.
The calendar has been crafted in line with the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation’s commitment to promote the sport locally and globally and provide the best preparation for local athletes to achieve triumphs on the continental and global stages, while also developing the sport on the domestic level, discovering fresh talent and new champions, and confirming the UAE as the home of Jiu-Jitsu globally.
Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, chief executive of the UAEJJF, said: “We would like to thank His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for his continuous support of the sport of Jiu-Jitsu. Thanks to his support, there are now 140,000 Jiu-Jitsu participants in schools, clubs, academies and institutions across the country.
“The upcoming calendar reflects our constant efforts to introduce innovative tournaments and events which will help participants triumph in local and international championships and raise the UAE flag high globally.”
Season gets underway in Sharjah The first round of the Vice President’s Cup will get the 2019/2020 season underway for local club players on Saturday in Sharjah, with the first round of the President’s Cup following on Sept.6 at the Al Jazira Club in Abu Dhabi before the first round of the ‘Mother of the Nation’ championship for female contestants takes place a day later on Saturday Sept.7 at Mubarak Bin Mohamed School in the UAE capital.
The Tolerance Championship promotes human values Next up is the Tolerance Jiu-Jitsu Championship, a brand-new tournament which will be held for the first time on the occasion of the Year of Tolerance, from Sept.26-28 at Al Ain Club.
The Tolerance Championship is further evidence of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation’s efforts to interact positively and connect with the initiatives adopted by the UAE government which promote greater human values like patience and respect.
The following month, the Fujairah International Pro Championship takes place on Oct.4 at Zayed Sport Hall in Fujairah, and the Al Ain International Pro Championship is staged at the Al Ain Club on Oct.25.
World Championship confirms UAE as the global home of Jiu-Jitsu The UAE will then host the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship at the Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi from Nov.16-24, an event for both youth and adults under the umbrella of the Jiu-Jitsu International Federation, with the participation of more than 60 countries.
The UAE’s staging of the championship confirms its position as the undisputed global leader in the field of Jiu-Jitsu, through the unlimited support of its wise leadership.
Returning to the domestic season, the second round of the Vice President’s Cup will be held in Fujairah on Dec.13. The GI category Dubai International Pro Championship then takes place a week later on Dec.20.
The ‘No GI’ category of the Dubai International Pro Championship is held on Jan.10 at Jumeirah Beach Residence, with the outdoor setting offering fans a great opportunity to enjoy the alternative format. The Ras Al Khaimah International Pro Championship will then be staged on Jan.31.
The geographic expansion into different locations and emirates reflects the vision and direction of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation to reach local talents and their families throughout the country, allowing them to actively participate and achieve success in various local and international competitions which further raises the flag for the UAE in the field of Jiu-Jitsu.
The second round of the President’s Cup takes place in Al Dhafra Club on Feb.7, closely followed by the second round of the Mother of the Nation tournament at Mubarak Bin Mohammed Hall in Abu Dhabi on Feb.8, and The Challenge Championship on Feb.20, 21 and 22 at the Mubadala Arena.
March includes the third and final round of the UAE President’s Cup on March 7, the final round of the UAE Vice President’s Cup on March 13 in Dubai, and the final round of the Mother of the Nation Championship at Mubadala Arena on March 14.