ABU DHABI // The first Ambassador’s Cup judo competition will be held at the UAE Wrestling, Judo & Kick Boxing Federation’s hall located in the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club on Friday.
The competition, which will pit boys and girls under 15 years against each other, has drawn more than 150 entries in eight categories and is set to become a regular fixture in the federation’s annual calendar.
“The inaugural event is for the juniors but we may expand it in the future,” said Naser Al Tamimi, the general secretary, adding that the sport is being introduced in Japanese schools in Abu Dhabi. “This would certainly encourage more private schools to include judo in their curriculum,” he said.
Al Tamimi also said that cooperation with the Japanese Embassy is an important new development for the federation’s vision to broaden the appeal of the sport.
“Some of the judokas from this competition will travel to Japan in December for a competition and a camp,” he said. “They will be in Tokyo for two weeks which includes a week-long training camp.”
Shinji Suzuki, head of cultural and information section at the embassy, stated the cup is a “milestone” cooperation between the two countries.
“Judo has become one of the most popular and promising sports in UAE,” Suzuki said. “Japan as the country of origin of this martial art, will make a further contribution to fulfil such a wish through this competition.
“Several Japanese judo experts will be present for the competition to watch the young local judokas in action and provide them with first-hand training experiences.”
“The event will certainly become a milestone in Judo cooperation between Japan and UAE, at the same time we believe this will a step towards Tokyo 2020, Paralympics and beyond,” he added.
The championship will be followed by a training clinic for coaches on Saturday.
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