ABU DHABI, 20th March, 2019 (WAM) — The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, UAEJJF, has begun an expansive community outreach program ahead of next month’s 11th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, ADWPJJC, the largest event on the sport’s global calendar.

The federation marked Emirati Children’s Day with a series of activities at the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department on Thursday, where Jiu-Jitsu athletes from various Abu Dhabi clubs conducted tailored demonstrations for children on a specially-prepared mat at the department’s headquarters in the UAE capital. The demonstration was watched by hundreds of employees and scores of school children.

The federation then homed in on the Abu Dhabi 2019 Special Olympics World Games on Sunday, with another special demonstration at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre – one of the main venues at the most unified Special Olympics event in history.

The two-pronged community outreach work drew warm praise from Mohamed Hussain Al Marzooqi, Director of Marketing and Finance, UAEJJF, “It is always very rewarding to engage and encourage the next generation of potential Jiu-Jitsu champions, even more so on such important occasions as Emirati Children’s Day and the Abu Dhabi 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games, which is the living embodiment of the UAE’s commitment to tolerance, respect and inclusion for people from all walks of life and abilities.”

“This spirit of tolerance, respect and inclusion is also a hallmark of the values of Jiu-Jitsu – and the future of the sport in Abu Dhabi, the UAE and beyond is very bright,” he added.

The next stages of the community outreach activities will take place at Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club and New York University on 29th March and 14th April, respectively.

The Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2019 will take place from 20th-26th April, at the Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi.