Abdulmunem Alhashmi Re-elected To Lead Ju-Jitsu Asian Union For Another Term

During the recent annual General Assembly meeting in Abu Dhabi, Abdulmunem Alsayedohamed was unanimously re-elected as President of the Asian Jiu-Jitsu Union (JJAU) for another term. This event, held concurrently with the eighth Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championship, saw key figures in attendance, including Panagiotis Theodoropoulos, President of the Jiu-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF), and Joachim Thumfart, Director-General of JJIF. Representatives from the Olympic Council of Asia, JJAU board members, and heads of National Federations from across Asia were also present.

In addition to Alsayedohamed's re-election, Fahad Al Shamsi was re-elected as Secretary-General of the Union. The assembly appointed Takamasa Watanabe and Tareq Al Bahri as Deputy Secretary-General and Treasurer of the union, respectively. A new Executive Board was approved, featuring Reda Monfaradi, President of the Bahrain Jiu-Jitsu Federation, as the First Vice President alongside five regional Vice Presidents from Mongolia, Thailand, Iraq, Kazakhstan, and India.

The assembly focused on sport development initiatives across Asia. This included referee training programs, anti-doping efforts, support for national federations, and plans for upcoming continental championships. A highlight is the 2024 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games scheduled for November 2024. The significant increase in the number of accredited referees in Asia was also reviewed, with current figures standing at 45 referees from 15 countries. Plans to further increase this number were approved with an emphasis on enhancing support for events organized by national federations.

Alhashmi expressed gratitude towards the JJIF President and JJAU members for their dedication to promoting Jiu-Jitsu in Asia. "We thank the General Assembly for their trust. We are committed to developing the sport across Asia, qualifying competent personnel, and providing our athletes with the care and opportunities they deserve," Alhashmi stated. He emphasized the union's commitment to integrity, unity, and providing equal opportunities for all athletes.

Fahad Al Shamsi reflected on the achievements under His Excellency Abdulmunem Alhashmi's leadership over the past decade. "Today's meeting is a reaffirmation of the trust placed in His Excellency Abdulmunem Alhashmi's leadership. We have witnessed a qualitative leap in terms of numbers, participating countries, and initiatives," Al Shamsi remarked.

Suresh Gopi, senior advisor of JJAU, praised the democratic process demonstrated by the turnout and outcomes of the meeting. "The 2024 General Assembly of the Jiu-Jitsu Asian Union had a wonderful turnout with 30 out of 33 voting members in attendance," Gopi noted. He expressed his appreciation for the organizers and support team and optimism for the JJAU's growth over the coming years.

This assembly marks a significant milestone in the development of Jiu-Jitsu across Asia. With a unified vision and collaborative efforts from all member federations, the sport is set to reach new horizons in terms of growth and popularity.

With inputs from WAM