Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the IMMAF Youth World Championships will take place from August 2-5 at the Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi. The event, which is held under the umbrella of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF), will be hosted by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation for the second consecutive year.
The championships will once again transform Abu Dhabi into a destination for hundreds of mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes from 46 countries, competing in three different categories: Youth C (12-13 years), Youth B (14-15 years), and Youth A (16-17 years). The competition will also witness strong participation from the UAE national team, which is taking part in the competition for the second time.
His Excellency Abdel Moneim Al-Hashemi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, expressed his gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his unwavering support. Al Hashemi emphasized that His Highness’s patronage of the event represents a new chapter of success and achievements for Abu Dhabi as a leading destination for major international sporting events, and strengthens its role as a pioneer in the hosting of martial arts events.
Al-Hashemi said, “The remarkable organizational success of last year’s IMMAF Youth World Championships, along with Abu Dhabi’s ongoing preparations to host the second and third editions of the event in 2023 and 2024, demonstrates the unwavering confidence placed in Abu Dhabi by the IMMAF. It also highlights Abu Dhabi’s exceptional organisational capabilities, which have resulted in a series of achievements.
“Over the past two decades, Abu Dhabi has solidified its position as a leading destination for matial arts events by hosting numerous prestigious tournaments across various disciplines. These tournaments have attracted thousands of renowned athletes, stars, and influential figures from around the world.”
His Excellency Mohammed bin Dalmouj Al Dhaheri, Member of the Board of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, and Chairman of the Mixed Martial Arts Committee, emphasised that the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan reflects the UAE leadership’s support in providing all the necessary elements for the success of Abu Dhabi as a host city that has captivated the MMA world’s attention. It is also the cornerstone of the exceptional performance of the nation’s sons and daughters and their remarkable achievements in various regional and international sports competitions.
Al Dhaheri said, “With less than a month remaining until the highly anticipated launch of the MMA Youth World Championship, the organising committee is diligently putting the finishing touches on the preparations for one of the largest international martial arts events this summer. The upcoming edition promises to be exceptional in every aspect, thanks to the tremendous efforts exerted by our dedicated team and partners. With the support of the UAE’s leadership, we are committed to delivering a championship that truly reflects Abu Dhabi’s global standing as a premier sports destination, attracting fans from around the world.”
Regarding the national team’s preparations, Al Dhaheri highlighted that the players are currently in the final training stage, striving to attain the necessary readiness and compete against formidable teams. He mentioned that the national team is eager to build upon their first participation in the tournament last year, when they achieved notable success and secured several medals. Al Dhaheri expressed unwavering confidence in the players, emphasising their exceptional talent and technical capabilities to compete at the highest levels.
