Abu Dhabi [UAE], October 24: Top clubs and academies from across the UAE will compete for the Jiu-Jitsu President's Cup at Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, October 24. Organised by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, the event will feature athletes in the adults and U21 categories.
Al Wahda Jiu-Jitsu Club will defend its title against challengers including Baniyas, Al Ain and Al Jazira jiu-jitsu clubs. Teams are preparing to field their strongest athletes in a bid to win one of the domestic season's top titles.
The championship will follow an open-belt format, allowing athletes of different belt ranks to face one another and providing a strong test of their skills and preparation. These matches will also give coaches a chance to assess athletes' performances, readiness and technical progress, and identify candidates for national team selection ahead of upcoming competitions.
Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, said: "The Jiu-Jitsu President's Cup is one of our most important domestic competitions. It helps us assess athletes' performances and see the results of the work clubs and coaches have done throughout the season.
"The championship carries the President's name, a name dear to us, which gives it special meaning and encourages clubs and athletes to give their best. The quality of the competition reflects the progress of clubs and academies and their work to prepare athletes and improve their technical skills."
He added: "Every championship plays a part in our wider plan to develop jiu-jitsu. The President's Cup helps us prepare athletes, assess their performances and identify those ready for national team selection.
"We look forward to seeing athletes perform at their best on Saturday and show how well prepared they are. These matches will help them prepare for upcoming competitions and build on the UAE's success at continental and world level."
Al Wahda athlete Omar Ali Al Suwaidi said: "We want to deliver a strong performance and challenge for the title. The importance of the championship and the strength of the participating clubs mean we need to be fully focused and well prepared.
"We have worked hard in recent weeks to improve our skills and prepare for this event. Now we want to turn our efforts in training into good results on the mats, represent Al Wahda with pride and compete for the title until the end.".
Source: Emirates News Agency
