Jiu- Jitsu Gulf Cup starts on Thursday

600 entrants from 20 countries expected to take part in the event

Around 600 participants from 20 countries will be in action at the inaugural Jiu- Jitsu Gulf Open Cup, to be held from January 31.

The three- day event, organised by the UAE Jiu- Jitsu Federation, will be held in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi.

Competitions for the juniors will start at Al Ain Sports Club in Al Ain on of January 31 from 11am to 3pm, while on February 1 and 2, the action will shift to Abu Dhabi for the men’s and women’s competitions.

Addressing a press conference at the UAE Jiu- Jitsu Federation premises Mohammad Salem Al Daheri, Deputy Chairman of the Federation, said: “This is the first time we are having a Gulf Open event and we plan to make it an annual affair.

“While the junior competitions will be held in Al Ain on January 31, the Open and Senior events will be held in Abu Dhabi on February 1 and 2. We were to stage this event earlier but we had to push it to accommodate students who need at least three weeks to prepare after resuming school after the vacations. We have around 500 students taking part in the junior events,” he said.

The official said the championship is part of the UAE Jiu- Jitsu Federation’s plans to develop the sport at local and regional levels.

Fahad Ali of Abu Dhabi Sports Council ( ADSC) said, “We at ADSC have always supported the drive to develop Jiu- Jitsu sports in the UAE through inter- school and club- level competitions. We hope this inaugural Gulf Open championship is a huge success and will further spur the growth of the sport in the UAE.”

The UAE national team will be taking part in the Gulf Cup after participating in the European Championship.

Participants are also expected from a number of countries, including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Jordan, Tunisia, Iraq, Libya, Egypt, France, Britain, Philippines, US, Brazil, Australia and Pakistan.