The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation has reported impressive success and growth in its student body since signing a landmark sponsorship agreement with First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB).

The partnership, which includes the bank receiving naming rights for the Academy based in Zayed Sports City, has contributed to offering top-quality training to students, supporting the development of Jiu-Jitsu in the region.

Since the agreement between FAB and UAEJJF was signed in January this year, the FAB Jiu-Jitsu Academy has experienced a significant increase in the number of students, with a growth rate of 40 percent. Currently, over 2000 students, aged between 4 and 16, attend daily classes.

Attracting talents

This remarkable development offers a powerful endorsement of the bank's community initiatives to support sports in general, and jiu-jitsu in particular.

Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, Deputy Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said, “The partnership and cooperation agreement between the Federation and FAB has provided an ideal framework for the growth of the Academy, resulting in its impressive success in attracting a large number of sports enthusiasts and talented individuals.”

“The FAB Jiu-Jitsu Academy plays an important role in supporting jiu-jitsu in the UAE and complements the Federation's efforts to promote the sport and expand its reach by providing its members with high-quality training, nurturing and developing their talents, and preparing them for successful professional careers, which in turn contributes to the consolidation of its various achievements,” he added.

The Academy has made significant additions and changes since the agreement, including opening new classes at weekends and hiring new coaches to meet the increasing demand. Currently, the Academy provides 50 training sessions per week and employs eight experienced coaches who are competent in keeping pace with international practices.

Outstanding results

The Academy’s students have also achieved outstanding results in recent tournaments. The age group of 4 to 15 won several accolades, which underscores the excellent training and development provided by the Academy.

Futoon Al Mazrouei, Group Head of Consumer Banking at FAB, said, “FAB recognises the importance of health and fitness to the wellbeing of our community, and we are thrilled to see the positive impact of our partnership with UAEJJF. Our commitment to supporting the growth of the Jiu-Jitsu community in Abu Dhabi has proved an outstanding success, and we are proud to be associated with one of the leading academies in the region.”

The FAB Jiu-Jitsu Academy provides a world-class training environment for aspiring champions, featuring a team of expert coaches with diverse backgrounds and extensive experience from various schools worldwide, particularly in Latin America and Europe. One of the coaches, Michael Ramos from Brazil, has 17 years of coaching experience and earned his black belt in 2017.

Ramos said, “As a coach at the Academy, I am responsible for training children aged four to seven years. This category forms the foundation from which children learn the basics of the sport and acquire the main skills of the game. I also regularly communicate with families to update them on their children's progress, and work with them to create a sustainable plan that ensures continuity in progress and qualification to participate in local tournaments as an initial stage towards professionalism.”

Children's personality development

He continued, “The UAE is a world leader in jiu-jitsu due to its exceptional sports infrastructure, which many countries do not have. The FAB Jiu-Jitsu Academy is one of the ideal academies that provide all the ingredients for success for its members of all ages. We receive increasing numbers of practitioners aspiring to excellence, and we supervise about 10 training sessions daily to meet the growing demand. The Academy is equipped with the best training specifications available to qualify a generation of champions.”

Kholoud Saeed Al-Amiri, whose three children – Zayed, Sheikha, and Rashid Ahmed Al-Mansoori – are students at the FAB Jiu-Jitsu Academy, said, “Jiu-jitsu has had a positive impact on my children's personalities, instilling self-confidence, commitment, and responsibility in them. These values are crucial in building strong generations that can contribute to the nation's development.”

She added, “The FAB Jiu-Jitsu Academy offers numerous benefits, including access to international trainers and well-designed plans and programmes for the development of practitioners. My children have become more dedicated to the sport and have even spent long hours in training because of their attachment to it. It is clear that their passion for this noble sport has not only contributed to their physical development but also to their academic growth.”