ABU DHABI // Emotions will run high when Emirati girls and boys take to the mat for the second staging of the Martyrs Jiu-Jitsu Championship on Friday and Saturday at Zayed Sports City’s Ipic Arena.
The event, organised by the UAE Jiu Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF) in collaboration with the Martyrs Families Affairs Office and staged with the support of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court, has drawn over 3,000 entries from all over the country.
The event is also a part of the nationwide campaign #The_UAE_Remembers, launched by the Martyrs Families Affairs Office to commemorate the Emirati servicemen and women who gave their lives on duty while defending the security and stability of the country.
“On behalf of the UAEJJF, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the heroes of our country who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the UAE and its safety and stability,” said Abdulmunam Al Hashemi, the chairman of the federation.
“Through this event, we aim to honour the courage and dedication of our brave soldiers through the jiu-jitsu players, and a sport that is based on courage, sacrifice, morals and noble principles.”
The opening day of the championship is for girls and the second day for boys, from age 10 to 17, and a few of the competitors are members of households with family members serving in the military.
Elsewhere, the nine-member national team led by Faisal Al Ketbi will be in action at the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship in Warsaw, Poland, from today until Sunday.
The busy jiu-jitsu calendar then follows up with the Ajman International for both Gi and No Gi (without the traditional kimono) on December 16 and 17.
The second round of the President’s Cup is scheduled for December 23 at the Ipic Arena.
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