ABU DHABI // The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation have announced an expanded 2016/17 calendar that includes the inaugural President’s Cup over three legs and the Ajman Open.
The new calendar consists of 11 domestic competitions for adults and more than 70 in the international circuit, among them trials for the inaugural Grand Slam Abu Dhabi and the ninth Abu Dhabi World Professional Championship.
The domestic season gets underway with the President’s Cup first leg at the Ipec Arena on August 27 followed by the national team’s trip to the Grand Slam Los Angeles on September 3-4, and the Fifth Asian Beach Games in Danang, Vietnam, from September 24 to October 3.
“The season gets off to a strong start with three championship events in the first month,” said Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, chief executive officer of the UAEJJF, during the launch ceremony at the Jumeirah Etihad Towers on Wednesday.
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“We have drawn up a packed calendar to meet the ever growing demand for more competitions from our jiu-jitsu players. We have at least two competitions lined up every month, which is a significant increase from the previous years.”
Faisal Al Ketbi, the Emirati who returned with two gold medals and a silver and the award for the Best Player from the inaugural Asian Championships in Sri Lanka, is focused on the national team’s appearance in Vietnam.
“Vietnam is my priority at the moment,” he said. “We have two squads in training, the first team preparing for Vietnam and the other for Los Angeles.
“There are four competitions coming up within two months and it’s not possible for us to take part in every event.
“We started our camp before the Asian Beach Championship in Sri Lanka (July 29-31) and have continued our preparations for both Los Angeles and Vietnam.
“The competition in Sri Lanka was an ideal dress rehearsal for the national team players for Los Angeles and Vietnam.
“We did reasonably well in Sri Lanka to top the medals table in both the Gi (3 gold, 4 silver, 4 bronze) and No-Gi (4g, 2s, 1b) competitions but we expect Vietnam to be tougher.”
The UAE will travel to Vietnam with a full squad. For the men, there are eight gold medals up for grabs, and six in the women’s division. Each country can enter two in each weight class and the absolute division.
The UAE’s team for Vietnam will be led by Al Ketbi and include medal prospects Yahia Mansour Al Hammadi, Khalifa Al Baloushi, Saif Al Qubaisi and Khalifa Nasarati.
“This season is a big challenge for us as we have lot of competitions,” said Roberto Lima, the UAE’s Brazilian coach.
“The Beach Games in Vietnam is our next big objective followed by the JJIF World Championship in Poland in December.
“We have two squads and both can do well. We have got the juveniles in as well and they are in good shape and we believe they are moving on the right direction and win us some medals.”
DOMESTIC JIU-JITSU CALENDAR
August 27:
President’s Cup first leg
September 23-24:
Dubai Open
October 21-22:
Al Ain Kids Championships
October 28-29:
Al Ain Open
November 25-26:
Martyr’s Championship — Kids
December 16-17:
Ajman Open
December 24:
President’s Cup Second Leg
January 13-14:
Grand Slam Abu Dhabi
January 27-28:
Ras Al Khaimah Open
February 10-11:
Sharjah Open
February 24-25:
Challenge Championship — Kids
March 4:
President’s Cup Third Leg
April 14-22:
Ninth Abu Dhabi World Professional Championship
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