The UAE’s Abdulmunam Al Hashmi was elected unopposed as president of the Asian Jiu Jitsu Union (AJJU).
Al Hashmi, who is also president of the UAE Jiu Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF), secured all 26 votes in elections held at the Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi following conclusion of a forum hosted by the Jiu Jitsu International Federation (JJIF).
The Emirati will head the AJJU until the next elections in 2018.
UAEJJ board member Fahad Ali Alshamsi was elected as the general secretary of the new-launched Asian body while Kuwait’s Sheikh Fahad Al Talal Al Sabah took charge as first vice president.
The AJJU executive committee also consists of a deputy general secretary, five vice presidents and six board members. Al Hashmi immediately got down to business and held a meeting with representatives of Asian countries where he stressed on the importance of promoting the sport.
The Emirati pledged his and the UAE federation’s full support and assistance not just to popularise but also look into areas of the sport that could be further improved.
Apart from JJIF president Panagiotis Theadoropoulous and general secretary Dana Mortelmans, over 50 JJIF and Asian Olympic Committee (AOC) members, including AOC director general Hussein Al- mussalam, attended the elections.
Jiu Jitsu has yet to be included in the Olympic Games programme despite being on the World Games roster, but the launch of the Asian union is expected to give a fillip to JJIF’s efforts to get the sport included in the Olympics.
The sport has gained popularity in the UAE with several internation competitions being held in the capital under the patronage of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
