ABU DHABI // The UAE junior jiu-jitsu team returned home from Los Angeles to a reception complete with cheers, bouquets and congratulatory posters after their medal-winning performances in the American National Kids Championships.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Khaled, Chairman of the Al Ain Club, welcomed the tour squad on their arrival Tuesday night at the Abu Dhabi International Airport.
He received them on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and read a statement.
“Sheikh Mohammed sends his best wishes and congratulations to the participants for their outstanding performances,” Sheikh Abdullah said. “He has pledged his fullest support for all of you to excel in the sport and has big plans to further develop the sport.”
Present at the reception area were parents, friends and coaches as well as officials from the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation.
There were four youngsters wearing T-shirts emblazoned with a congratulatory message for gold medal winner Abdulrahman Al Nuaimi.
“It was my mum’s idea to show how much we love him and how much we appreciate his achievements,” said his younger sibling, Abdulaziz, who arrived with his three cousins.
Al Nuaimi’s Brazilian coach, Alexandre Oliveira, said it was a “great start” for him as well as his teammates for the success they have enjoyed from their first overseas competition.
“The results they have achieved from this championship are a massive shot in the arm for the Emirati youth in jiu-jitsu,” he said. “I am sure these youngsters are going to go places in the future.”
There were several placards and one read, “We are so proud of you”, and another said, “Tomorrow’s champions”.
“We are all very, very happy,” said Bader Al Rojaibi, whose son Ahmed Bader returned with a bronze medal.
“I am very proud because he was representing the country. It is a great honour for our household.”
Al Yazya Khalfan Al Shyari, silver medallist in the female Orange/Green featherweight class, received an invitation to address a seminar at the Higher Colleges of Technology on the benefits of the sport for women.
“She’s a role model for the Emirati women in sports,” her older sister, Azza, said. “It is a great opportunity for her and it is jiu-jitsu that has made her more confident and career-oriented.”
Al Shyari, 15, broke into tears upon seeing her family.
“It is tears of joy,” she said. “It is very hard for me to express my feeling. I am just happy to be back with my family.
“The entire tour has been great and I learnt a lot from the defeat at the hands of my opponent, who was two years younger than me.
“The competition was a good learning curve.”
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