2008 Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championship – Masters ChallengeAbu Dhabi: -- Lt. General (rtd) Mohammed Hilal Surour Al-Ka'abi, Board Chairman of the Armed Forces Officers Club (AFOC) and Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee of the 2008 Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championship – Masters Challenge, has expressed satisfaction with the level of preparation so far for the hosting of the championship, which is being held under the auspices of Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as part of the activities marking the UAE's 37th National Day anniversary.
Prizes totalling more than US$38,000 are up for grabs during the championship, to be held in Abu Dhabi from December 12 – 13, 2008 at the auditorium of the UAE Wrestling and Judo Association.
In a comment after his meeting with Carlos Santos, UAE national coach and Director General of the championship, Al-Ka'abi said the AFOC is committed to organizing and ensuring the success of the annual championship in collaboration with the UAE Wrestling and Judo Association, headed by Mohammed bin Thaloub Al-Darae, and other contributors, including sponsors, adding that AFOC also remains committed to ensuring that the championship continues to achieve better technical and organizational successes as witnessed in the previous championships.
He said the championships were all part of the UAE's preparation to host the 2009 World Jiu-Jitsu Masters Championship, to be held under the umbrella of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council as part of Abu Dhabi's sports and tourism promotion efforts.
The organising committee continues to hold regular meeting to ensure the strict implementation of the plan of action for the great success of the championship, which will bring together masters of the Jiu-Jitsu from all parts of the world to vie for honor. The previous championship brought together 100 Jiu-Jitsu players from 26 countries, including UAE contestants who succeeded in winning a number of titles.
Meanwhile, the UAE national Jiu-Jitsu team continues with its daily training under the supervision of its coach, Carlos Santos. More than 30 players of various belts, levels and ages are busily working towards the great event.
Coach Santos expressed gratitude to Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his continuous support to Jiu-Jitsu sport in the country. He thanked Lt. General (rtd) Al-Ka'abi for his sustainable care and professional handling of the championship, and applauded Mohammed Thaloub Al-Darae for giving the UAE national team unfettered access to all the facilities of his association for the team's preparation towards a successful championship.
He also thanked all sponsors of the Jiu-Jitsu championship for their unflinching support which made the annual event a great success
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