Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the 5th IMMAF Youth World Championships are underway at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi.
Taking place until 10 August 2024, the event, organised by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF), is being hosted by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation for the third consecutive year.
The championships will attract more than 800 athletes from more than 45 countries, competing in three categories: Youth C (12-13 years), Youth B (14-15 years), and Youth A (16-17 years). The competition will also see strong participation from the UAE National Team, which ranked first among Arab teams and achieved fourth place last year, in their second participation in the event.
His Excellency Abdulmunem Alsayed Mohammed Al Hashmi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, President of the Jiu-Jitsu Asian Union, and Senior Vice President of the International Jiu-Jitsu Federation, expressed his gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, for his limitless support for the advancement of UAE sports, and conveyed heartfelt appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, for his patronage of the championship and his ongoing guidance. His Excellency emphasised that this support is a cornerstone of the event's success and a powerful motivation for aspiring athletes to excel and reach the podium.
His Excellency highlighted that the leadership's unwavering support for various sports serves as a powerful source of inspiration for local talent, motivating them to achieve greater success and proudly represent the nation at regional and international sports forums.
His Excellency Abdulmunem Alsayed Mohammed Al Hashmi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, President of the Jiu-Jitsu Asian Union, and Senior Vice President of the International Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said: "Abu Dhabi hosting the World Youth Mixed Martial Arts Championship for the third consecutive year reflects the trust and confidence it has earned from the global sports community, as well as from continental and international federations. This underscores Abu Dhabi's status as a premier destination for major international sporting events and tournaments."
The opening ceremony of the IMMAF Youth World Championships was attended by Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa bin Sultan bin Shakhbout Al Nahyan, President of the Asian Chess Federation and President of the Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club, His Excellency Rashed Lahej Al Mansoori, Director General of Abu Dhabi Customs, His Excellency Rashed Abdul Karim Al Balooshi, Undersecretary of the Department of Economic Development - Abu Dhabi, His Excellency Engineer Hamad Ali Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of the Department of Community Development in Abu Dhabi, His Excellency Mohammed bin Dalmouj Al Dhaheri, Board Member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, and Kerrith Brown, President of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF).
