‘Self-defence sport to help athletes fight fears’

UAE Jiu-Jitsu official pleased with Sharjah Club’s virtual sessions

Nasser Al Tamimi, General Secretary of the UAE Jiu Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF), has hailed the role played by clubs and institutions in popularising the sport all over the country and the region.

Speaking to Gulf News following a series of webinars conducted by the Sharjah SelfDefence (SSD) Sports Club, Al Tamimi felt such events will give right assistance and support needed for the popularity of a sport like jiu-jitsu.

The SSD Sports Club, headed by Ahmad Abdul Rahman Al Owais, also decided to set up a specialised wing to train jiu-jitsu athletes and meet the rising need among local enthusiasts for the sport. “It is always important that enthusiasts get the right idea of a sport from people who are involved in the sport at the grass roots levels,” Al Tamimi said.

“Among the biggest challenges in any sport is the mental and psychological issues. Most sportsmen have been locked in and thus without training over a long period of time. It was important to keep the athletes occupied with some activity during these pandemic times,” he added.

The two webinars held so far dealt on discussions on karate and Jiu Jitsu, while another two on taekwondo and judo are yet to be held during the course of the week.

“Having any activity, however small, can only help us in more ways than one. Following a sport, any sport, can help people not just in tackling their opponents, but also help in their fight against the virus,” Al Tamimi added.