Thanks to the generous support and initiatives of His Highness Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, ju-jitsu is booming in the UAE as youngsters embrace the social and lifestyle values of the martial art as well as the competitive aspect.
“We have over 70,000 students practising ju-jitsu in schools or in after-school programmes,” says Al Shamsi. “Ju-jitsu is the mother of all martial arts and we try to promote its values and education among the schools.”
With such a vast young following, no wonder the JJAU General Secretary feels that Abu Dhabi and Asia are well placed to orchestrate the development of the sport around the world. The JJAU is a very active continent not only in terms of numbers but also activities,” he added.
“As well as this, the Olympic Council of Asia is nearby in Kuwait and the OCA President, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, has been a big supporter of ju-jitsu. “With his experience and his knowledge in the international Olympic movement we feel Sheikh Ahmad can continue to help us grow.”
Al Shamsi says the JJAU has 38 member National Federations and this has created a very active continent. By opening a new HQ for the JJIF and JJAU in Abu Dhabi next year, with a professional team of management and administrators, this will speed up the decision-making process.
Addressing the JJIF Extraordinary General Assembly earlier in the day, Al Shamsi said: “On behalf of the Ju-Jitsu Asian Union we are proud to work together. I believe the future of ju-jitsu will be great as we make a really big step. “We are behind our President and his team, and in Asia we can help everyone.”