Al Mamoura top Pearl for jiu-jitsu title

Dubai - Zayed Al Dharan of Pearl Academy won the boys' gold medal in the youngest age category (ages 4 to 5) while the girls' title was claimed by Haneem Al Khouri of Al Yasmina Academy

Al Mamoura Academy emerged champions and Pearl Academy finished second at the Aldar Academies Jiu-Jitsu Cup, an annual interschool Jiu-Jitsu tournament held in partnership with the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and Palm Sports.
Zayed Al Dharan of Pearl Academy won the boys' gold medal in the youngest age category (ages 4 to 5) while the girls' title was claimed by Haneem Al Khouri of Al Yasmina Academy.
Over 160 students from over 20 schools across Abu Dhabi competed in the tournament, which enables children as young as four years to compete in a professionally-organised competition, making it the first of its kind in the UAE.
The event received tremendous response as the leading education provider added to its success in encouraging more young people to take up the sport. This aim directly supports the UAE leadership's goal to make Jiu-Jitsu one of the country's national sports. "Congratulations to all of today's worthy young champions for making this year's Jiu-Jitsu Cup another thrilling success," commented Nilay Ozral, Aldar Academies CEO.
"As the tournament continues to grow in size, Aldar Academies is actively supporting the vision of the UAE leadership to make jiu-jitsu a national sport, while introducing more young people to its many physical and academic benefits. I would like to thank the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and Palm Sports for their expertise again this year, as both organisations have been instrumental to the continued success of our tournament" she added.
Joining the student competitors at West Yas Academy were Zayed Saif AlMansoori and Yahya Al Hammadi, two multiple gold medal winners of the World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship and World Jiu-Jitsu Grand Slam. The professional fighters devoted their time to inspire and encourage all students, while also showcasing their championship-winning skills through a demonstration fight. "Today's tournament was a wonderful advert for the sport," commented Vincent MacLean, Head of Physical Education at Aldar Academies West Yas Academy."As well as developing them physically, Jiu-Jitsu teaches our young competitors self-discipline, mental focus and camaraderie, which are all hugely beneficial inside and outside the classroom" he added.