Registration for Abu Dhabi’s Challenge Jiu-Jitsu Festival ‘exceeds expectations’

ABU DHABI, 10th February, 2022 (WAM) — The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJ) has announced the Challenge Jiu-Jitsu Festival – Abu Dhabi will be held at Jiu-Jitsu Arena from 18th to 20th February.

Registration for the event, which will see athletes aged 4 to 13 take to the mats in a variety of categories, began on 29th January and will conclude on 14th February.

The championship is part of the Federation’s ongoing strategy to promote the sport’s growth and development. It provides a perfect platform for the country’s aspiring and potential athletes across various clubs and academies to begin their journey in Jiu-Jitsu.

Last year’s Challenge Jiu-Jitsu Championship was highly praised by the Jiu-Jitsu community in the country, particularly by parents, because it had multiple positive aspects on the participating children’s personalities, talents, and life experiences, said Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the UAEJJF.

“The Federation’s strategy places a great emphasis on the categories of children as it helps to find and refine their skills at an early age through training programmes that match the highest international standards,” Al Shamsi added. “These competitions will lay the foundations for developing a distinguished generation of champions and prepare them to complete the journey.

“The registrations for the Challenge Jiu-Jitsu Festival have exceeded our expectations, demonstrating that organising the tournament enhances the Federation’s strategic successes and plans that target this young and promising generation.”

The Challenge Jiu-Jitsu Festival will kick off on Friday, 18th February, with competitions for Kids 1, Kids 2, and Kids 3 categories, continue the next day with competitions for girls in the Infant and Junior categories, and wrap up on Sunday with competitions for boys in the Infant and Junior categories.

The launch of this championship, according to Ibrahim Al Hosani, coach of the national youth team, reflects the Federation’s keenness to invest in the younger age groups as a basis for expanding the game, as well as its objective of preparing players capable of competing in international stages.

“Participation in the competition helps to motivate youngsters to face challenges and prepares them to stand on the mat by exposing them to the environment of enthusiastic contests,” said Al Hosani. “Such tournaments will help them hone their skills and improve their physical and mental fitness to launch a successful professional career and climb podiums.”

Meanwhile, the championship’s organising committee confirmed that all participants and those wishing to attend must present a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours of the event to gain access to the Jiu-Jitsu Arena. Entry is only open to spectators aged 13 and above.