Sheikh Khalid graces opening ceremony of 14th edition of Abu Dhabi World Pro

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Sheikh Khalid Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, inaugurated the 14th edition of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship on Sunday during a colourful ceremony, which featured a stellar display of skills by young athletes from around the world.

Sheikh Khalid rewarded the winners of the youth division with medals during the event.

The nine-day championship held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and organised by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF), will run at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena in Zayed Sports City until November 19 with the participation of more than 5,000 male and female players from 100 countries around the world.

Sheikh Khalid was accompanied to the official opening ceremony by Sheikh Zayed Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Sheikh Zayed Bin Nahyan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abdullah Sultan Al Nuaimi, the UAE's Minister of Justice, Dr Ahmed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Chairman, Office of the Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council and a number of distinguished personalities.

The opening ceremony began with the UAE national anthem and was followed by an operetta entitled ‘A Nation’ which featured performances that traced the development of the UAE and reflected the ideals of national unity, belonging to the country, and allegiance to its leadership.

Another segment depicted the history of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, how it changed the jiu-jitsu landscape globally, and cemented Abu Dhabi’s status not only as the sport's epicenter, but also a place where the biggest international stars of sport live their dreams.

The national jiu-jitsu team champion, Faisal Al Ketbi, in the opening speech he delivered on behalf of Abdel Moneim Al Hashemi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, President of the Asian Jiu-Jitsu Union and First Vice President of the International Jiu-Jitsu Federation, expressed a heartfelt gratitude to Sheikh Mohamed, for his unfaltering support of sports in general and especially the Jiu-Jitsu.

“Today, the ‘World’s Jiu-Jitsu Capital’ once again welcomes 5,000 athletes from 100 countries around the world to yet another fantastic sporting festival – the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

“The championship, which is currently in its 14th edition, has developed over the time into a tournament that many international champions dream to attend,” Ketbi said.

Ketbi also praised the successful hosting of the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship, which concluded a few days ago. “The 14th edition of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship is the largest jiu-jitsu sporting event in the world and will once again bring together thousands of competitors from around the world, making Abu Dhabi the only city the world to host two major world championships in the same month,” “There is no better way to motivate youngsters,” said Ketbi, the most decorated Emirati jiu-jitsu competitor and national team captain.