ADNOC and UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation Sign Partnership to Fuel the Growth of Future Champions

The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation signed a multi-year partnership agreement, today, to sponsor the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championships. 

The sponsorship, which runs through March 2020, positions ADNOC as the official Energy Partner and includes sponsorship rights for several national level competitions and international tournaments, in addition to the annual Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championships.

The agreement was signed by Reem Al Buainain, Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, at ADNOC, and Fahad Al Shamsi, CEO of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation at ADNOC’s Global Headquarters. The signing took place in the presence of His Excellency Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and ADNOC Group CEO and Abdul Moneim Al Hashemi, President of the UAE and Asian Jujitsu Federations and First Vice President of the International Federation of Jujitsu. 

H.E. Dr Al Jaber said: “We seek, through this agreement, to provide a model of sports partnership that will encourage the public and private sectors to adopt effective corporate social responsibility programs that have a positive impact on individuals, communities and wider society.”

Under the terms of the agreement, ADNOC will enjoy non-exclusive marketing and promotional sponsorship rights for the event, in addition to Jiu-Jitsu education and training exchanges as part of ADNOC’s employee health and well-being program.

Al Hashemi welcomed the partnership agreement, noting that it will provide new opportunities for new champions. “I would like to thank His Excellency Dr. Al Jaber, for his support, which reflects the great importance attributed to Jiu-Jitsu by all national agencies. We are confident the future will bring to us more success, in the light of the unlimited support we have from our wise leadership, and the constructive cooperation between the government, sports federations and the private sector.”

In April, 7,000 athletes of all ages and backgrounds, from over 100 countries, gathered in Abu Dhabi for the 9th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship that featured 14 days of matches at the IPIC Arena. Over US $800,000 in prizes were awarded for champions and medallists of categories of every belt, age group and nationality. The 10th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship will take place in April 2018.

“This partnership reaffirms ADNOC’s support for the development of sports in the UAE. Jiu-Jitsu is one of the fastest growing global sports and a platform where UAE athletes can shine. Our sponsorship honors our wise leadership’s wish to develop national sports talent and provide them with opportunities to succeed locally and internationally,” Al Buainain said.

Al Shamsi said: “The agreement represents ADNOC’s significant investment in the acceleration and growth of our sport and supports our sports strategy overall. It will create a positive and lasting impact on the sport of Jiu-Jitsu and the community.”

ADNOC’s Corporate Social Responsibility program is aligned with the 2017 Year of Giving announced by the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It has four pillars: culture and community, education and innovation, safety and environment, and wellbeing and health. The aim is to create a positive and lasting impact on society, with efforts that incorporate social impact, volunteering, and national service.