Al Ain Club Dominates Under-12 and Under-14 Categories of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship – Round 5
Abu Dhabi, December 14, 2024: Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club topped the medal table on the second day of the fifth and final round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship, held at Mubadala Arena, Abu Dhabi. Competitions for the Under-14 and Under-12 categories took centre stage today, with Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club securing second place, followed by Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club in third.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including His Excellency Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation; His Excellency Dr Ebrahim Saeed Al Hajri, President of Khalifa University of Science and Technology; Dr Omniyat Al Hajeri, Executive Director of Community Health Sector at Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC); H.E. Mohammed bin Dalmouj Al Dhaheri and H.E. Mansour Al Dhaheri, Board Members of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation; Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, Secretary General of the UAEJJF; Mansour Al Ketbi, Deputy Chief Corporate and Human Capital Officer at Mubadala Investment Company; Dr Amer Al Ameri, Head of Private Banking at Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank; Jaber Abdul Jalil Al Banna, Director of Sharjah and Northern Emirates Region for Premium Banking Services at Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, along with representatives of partners, and participating clubs, and academies.
Dr Ebrahim Saeed Al Hajri highlighted the championship’s focus on nurturing young talent. He said: “What distinguishes Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship is its focus on younger age groups, which represent the future of the sport over the next decade. Watching these youngsters compete with enthusiasm and dedication reflects the growing popularity of jiu-jitsu among younger generations and helps build a strong foundation of talent for the future.
“The support of our wise leadership plays a crucial role in fostering young athletes. This commitment will undoubtedly yield significant achievements for sports development in the country, solidifying its position as a global leader, especially in jiu-jitsu.”
Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, Secretary General of the UAEJJF, added: “The young athletes are the cornerstone of jiu-jitsu’s future in the UAE. Today they have shown great skill in representing their clubs and have demonstrated the core values of jiu-jitsu, such as discipline, teamwork, and resilience.
“Their exceptional performance reflects the hard work of clubs and academies in preparing them, coupled with the continuous support of our wise leadership. This championship also showcases the vital role of families in encouraging and supporting their children, further strengthening the community bond.”
Francisco Rodriguez, coach at M.O.D Academy, said: “Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship provides a crucial platform for nurturing young talent. The performance of the academy’s players highlights their dedication and rigorous training. These competitions are essential for developing skills and preparing athletes for major events in the future.”
Ahmed Al Hamli, father of 11-year-old white belt Khalid Ahmed Al Hamli, expressed his gratitude: “The championship plays a significant role in developing our children’s skills and instilling values of discipline and self-confidence. I’ve seen a noticeable positive change in Khalid’s personality. My heartfelt thanks go to the organisers for providing this excellent opportunity for young athletes.” On the sidelines of the event, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank hosted a dedicated children’s corner, offering activities such as art workshops and recreational games. These initiatives aimed to encourage creativity and social interaction in a lively and engaging environment, demonstrating the bank’s commitment to promoting family cohesion through meaningful community events.
