Capital prepares for ultimate fight experience as world’s best arrive for championship Guest appearance by UFC superstar and fan favourite Urijah Faber Free to attend event 15-19th April 2014 at First Gulf Bank Arena, Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi 13th April 2014: With only two days to go until one of Abu Dhabi’s most exciting live sports events, the best Jiu-Jitsu fighters from around the world have arrived in the UAE capital ahead of the showpiece Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2014 & World Jiu-Jitsu Children’s Cup, 15th - 19th April 2014. Held under the Patronage of H.H. General Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces, this year’s competition promises to be the best yet as the strongest line-up of Jiu-Jitsu fighters ever assembled prepare to battle for the prestigious title of ‘World Champion’ and an increased cash prize of AED 1.61 million. The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, together with its Official Partner, the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC), will host the world-class international event in Abu Dhabi - the capital of Jiu-Jitsu, at the First Gulf Bank Arena (FGB Arena), a ‘first of its kind’ facility located in Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi.
In its sixth edition under the theme ‘One World One Fight’, the tournament will see over 2,500 of the best male, female and children fighters from 71 countries competing in an expanded championship programme which runs over five thrilling days this year, furthering Abu Dhabi’s emergence as the global capital of Jiu-Jitsu. H.E. Abdulmunam Al Hashemi, President of the Asian Jiu-Jitsu Union and Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation said, “Today is another proud and momentous occasion for the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation as we warmly welcome the greatest fighters in the world to Abu Dhabi, each here to stake a claim to what has undoubtedly become one of the most important titles in the sport. Over the past five years this showpiece event has firmly established the UAE capital at the centre of Jiu-Jitsu globally.” His Excellency added, “In this our sixth year we have a stunning new home ready to showcase the very best of Abu Dhabi to the world and offer an outstanding spectacle to all. The stage is set for five memorable days and I would like to thank our generous sponsors who have honored the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation with their support. I would also like to encourage all fans and families to passionately support our UAE fighting heroes as they go into battle. It’s not to be missed.” “IPIC is immensely proud to be the Official Partner of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and Official Sponsor of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship,” said His Excellency, Khadem Abdulla Al Qubaisi, Managing Director of IPIC. “Jiu-Jitsu is a fantastic sport. Importantly, it unites our community across all ages and gender, fitting perfectly with our objective to support domestic and international sporting initiatives that bring benefit to our society.” Mohammed Najeeb, Director of Abu Dhabi Sports Channels at Abu Dhabi Media, said, “The annual championship has gained an impressive fan base and is among the fastest growing and played sports in the UAE. Abu Dhabi Sports Channels are keen to support the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and are proud to broadcast the championship to all our audiences in the UAE, the region and the world.” Najeeb added, “Our support of The Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship reaffirms our belief in the importance of sport in building a healthy society and a generation of athletes capable of competing on the international stage.” Mr. Talal Al Hashemi, Director of Technical Affairs Sports, Football Technical support Section, Abu Dhabi Sports Council said, “The Abu Dhabi Sports Council believes that the World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship is one of the biggest events in Abu Dhabi. It reflects the ongoing success of Abu Dhabi in the international sporting arena. The tournament is an extension of ADSC’s vision and helps promote and disseminate the sporting culture in the UAE. We take pride in the participation of international caliber athletes and offer our continued support to make this a successful event.” Excitement has been building with thousands of fans from home and abroad expected to attend the free family event and enjoy the extraordinary display of talent, skill and physical excellence offered by the ultimate fight experience. More competitors, more categories, the largest ever prize fund, a host of off-mat activities to entertain all, including the guest appearance of UFC superstar Urijah Faber, and a star-studded line-up going all out to claim one of the most important titles in the sport, the stage is set for five memorable days. Championship highlights for fans include the return of Marcus Almeida, the reigning Black Belt Open heavyweight world champion and female star Gabrielle Garcia, the reigning weight black belt champion who both return to defend their title. While UAE hopes will lie with local heroes and UAE Jiu-Jitsu champions, Faisal Fahad Al Ketbi (Brown belt) and Shamsa Hassan (Female Blue belt), will be competing along with Yahya Al Hammadi (Purple belt), Hasan Al Rumaithi (Purple belt) Ali Salem Al Darai (Purple belt) and Emaan Mohammed (Female Blue belt). Adding to the tournament excitement, Urijah Faber, a mixed marital arts legend known globally as the ‘California kid’ and loved for his devastating use of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in UFC, will be present throughout the championship, meeting fans and conducting training demos. The event will also feature a host of incredible contests and a range of new activities to entertain all, whether attendees are dedicated fans or are completely new to the sport. The first two days, April 15th and 16th will focus on the Children’s Cup and the remaining days will be for the adult’s championship with entertainment for every age taking place throughout the five-day event at the IPIC Fan Zone located at the FGB Arena. One of the UAE’s greatest week of live sport and free fun will include: an expanded fan experience, an enhanced spectator programme that includes an opening ceremony on the 17th of April at 3.30 PM, sponsor activities, family events, interactive stands, and a raffle draw where all visitors will have the chance to win two cars from Al Tayer Motors, including a Jaguar XF or a Land Rover LR2. Spectators will also have a chance to win a dream vacation courtesy of Etihad Holidays. The holiday package includes two return economy class tickets from Abu Dhabi to The Maldives and three nights’ accommodation at the Holiday Island Resort Maldives. A new addition this year are the online competitions for best photo and best video using the official Championship hashtag #WPJJC with cash prizes of AED 30,000. The best Instagram video of the tournament that garners the most likes will be awarded AED 10,000. On Twitter there will be two lucky winners of AED 10,000 each for the best picture in the FGB arena with the most retweets. The championship schedule sees the World Jiu-Jitsu Children’s Cup 2014 take place across two days on Tuesday 15th and Wednesday 16th April and the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2014 from the 17th - 19th April. Both events will take place at the FGB Arena, Zayed Sports City and are completely free to attend for all fans throughout the championship. Quotes from Esteemed Sponsors of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2014: Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) - Mr. Mohammad S. Al Qubaisi - ADNOC Human Resources Director
“ADNOC is supporting the community by sponsoring social, educational, cultural, and sportive activities in many different sectors, especially those related to youth as they are our future. Inspired by the vision of our country’s leaders, this program focuses on supporting youth sport activities as part of ADNOC’s corporate social responsibility to the UAE.” Abu Dhabi Police
The Abu Dhabi Police is aiming, through sponsoring this championship, to spread the healthy competition spirit among the nation’s youth, and also to support the nation’s institutions, particularly Jiu - Jitsu. Our vision is to reinforce the nation’s position in the international sport map to be among the best countries. It is part of ADP’s corporate social responsibility programme to encourage younger generations to practice Jiu - Jitsu for both physical and mental development. Premier Motors - Helal Omar, General Manager, Premier Motors
“Premier Motors, the official dealer for Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, is pleased to be associated with the World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship for the third consecutive year. By supporting such international events we want to encourage the community at large to participate in sports and sporting activities, and lead an active, healthy lifestyle.” Al Ain Water - Fasahat Beg, General Manager, Al Ain Food And Beverage
“Al Ain Mineral Water is pleased to be the “Official Water Supplier” to the World Ju-Jitsu Championships to be held in Abu Dhabi on April 15 to 19, 2014. As one of the leading Emirati-owned Food And Beverage companies in the UAE, support of this world recognized event aligns to Al Ain Mineral Water’s strong, historical and ongoing commitment to sponsoring major sporting events here in the UAE.” Dolphin Energy Limited - Ibrahim Ahmed Al Ansaari, CEO, Dolphin Energy Limited
“The championship has established itself as one of the foremost events in the UAE sporting calendar and complements our commitment to endorse sporting events as part of our CSR outreach program. The profile and reputation of the event continues to grow and we’re delighted that the championship places emphasis on nurturing future stars of the sport.” Etihad Airways - Peter Baumgartner, Chief Commercial Officer, Etihad Airways.
“Etihad Airways has been a sponsor of the World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship since 2011 and we are proud to be associated with this high-profile international sporting event for the fourth consecutive year. Once again, the biggest names in Jiu-Jitsu will be travelling to Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways, ready for five days of non-stop, highly skilled martial arts action in the capital.” Tawazun - H.E. Saif Mohamed Al Hajeri, CEO of Tawazun
“Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu - Jitsu Championship continues to grow year by year and has marked itself as one of the most popular sports in the UAE. The need and therefore, the opportunity is growing for sports organizations in all communities, to nurture the new generation and raise them within a well-balanced environment - in education, career, and access to health care. At Tawazun, we see the importance of sports to our society, especially the emerging sports, like Jiu - Jitsu. We continue to support international championships which contribute to building a stronger, healthier national community.” Abu Dhabi Tourism & Cultural Authority Faisal Al Sheikh, Director, Events Bureau.
“This world-class event significantly adds to the emirate’s growing portfolio of major sporting events. It will bring added international exposure to the emirate positioning the destination as highly capable of delivering events to exceptional global standards. At the same time, it offers much to enrich the lives of residents and visitors alike and will give the many international participants a taste of an emirate with a legendary reputation for hospitality - and experience which we hope will leave them wanting to return and spread word of our credentials.” National Bank of Abu Dhabi - Abdulla M.S. AbdulRaheem , Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer of NBAD
“The National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) is pleased to sponsor the World Professional JIU-JISU Championship, for the fifth time. NBAD is an integral part of Abu Dhabi and we are committed to supporting events that promote health, education, environment, sports and community development. This pledge emanates from our belief that social responsibility is one of the pillars that underpin our success as a responsible financial institution.” Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank - Dr. Majdi Abdul Muhdi, Head of Corporate Communications, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB)
“ADCB has been a proud partner of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship since 2010. The worlds of business and sports are more and more connected and we view it as both a source of inspiration and ideas that can enhance the lives of people. This sponsorship fully embodies ADCB’s commitment to playing a vital role in supporting our communities in the UAE. It also reinforces our position as one of the UAE’s most successful financial institutions dedicated to giving back to the community within which it operates.” Abu Dhabi Judicial Department - H.H. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD)
Acting upon H.H. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD)’s directives, ADJD has sponsored for the second consecutive year the Championship of Jiu-Jitsu. This sponsorship comes in line with the initiative of responsibility of ADJD towards the society, as stated in its strategy of 2014-2018. We, in ADJD, emphasize our commitment to participate in all sporting, humane and environmental activities effectively because we are part of the society and concerned directly in promoting the society and achieving its expectations in different aspects. Abu Dhabi Ports Company - Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC)
“ADPC wishes all of the UAE players the very best of luck in the competition. This exciting sport promotes physical fitness and strength of character and their participation encourages more of us to get involved in this great event.” Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) - H.E. Falah Al Ahbabi, General Manager, Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council
“Our projects look to enhance quality of life, and frequently focus on the planning of community facilities, including sports facilities, to keep our communities active. The Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2014 highlights the importance our Leadership has given to the development and promotion of a sports culture in the Emirate, which brings about numerous benefits to the entire community in terms of wellbeing and health.” Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Agency - Faris Khalaf Khalfan Al Mazroei, Staff Pilot, CICPA
Support & sponsorship rendered to sport championships is a national responsibility to be assumed by everyone including individuals & organizations evenly as they all should participate and support such leading events. Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Championship, scheduled in April, is particularly an important sport event to be held in the UAE as it will attract the most renowned fighters from around the world in addition to UAE’s prominent champions who will have the opportunity to compete with the best Jiu-Jitsu professionals. We would also like to highlight Mr. Abdel Moneim Al Hashemi, Chairman of UAE Jiu-Jitsu for this event. Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation - Mohammed Al Hammadi, Chief Executive Officer of ENEC
“Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) is committed to supporting its community, and is proud to sponsor the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu - Jitsu Championship 2014. Promoting a healthy, active lifestyle across the UAE is an important task, and the Championship serves as an excellent platform to promote sport and encourage the next generation to participate. We extend our full support to the UAE Jiu - Jitsu Federation, and wish all the participants the best of luck.” The Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2014 is proudly supported by:
Official Partner: International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC)
Official Sponsor: Abu Dhabi Sports Channels and Super.ae
Diamond Sponsors: Abu Dhabi Police, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Premier Motors and Land Rover
Gold Sponsors: Abu Dhabi Education Council, Al Ain Water, Dolphin Energy Limited, Etihad Airways, Tawazun
Silver Sponsors: Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, National Bank of Abu Dhabi
Bronze Sponsors: Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, Abu Dhabi Ports Company, Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, Masdar For more information please visit - www.uaejj.com
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