Male and female athletes from various clubs and academies in the UAE showcased their skills and talents at the preliminary round competitions in the Under 14 and 16 in the Jiu-Jitsu President’s Cup 2023.
The event began at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City on Friday.
The day was filled with thrilling action as Al Ain and Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club secured their place in the finals for Under 14 boys, while Baniyas and Sharjah Self-Defense made it to the finals in the girls’ division. In the Under 16 category, Al Ain and Al Wahda clubs secured their spots in the boys’ final, while Baniyas and Al Jazira qualified for the girls’ final.
Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, Deputy Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, praised the performance of the players, their technical skill, and their level of competence, stating, “The brilliance of the boys and girls on the mats reflects the efforts of clubs and academies in developing programmes that improve their readiness and abilities, qualify them for competition and prepare them optimally to join the national team.”
He added, “The championship is developing year after year and presents us with a group of new talents capable of preserving the gains of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu during the past years. There is no doubt that adding the Under 14 category to the tournament added more excitement to the competitions, especially since they represent the future and the next generation of champions.”
Obaid Al Kaabi, a member of the Board of Directors of Baniyas Sports Company, expressed his excitement at Baniyas Club’s past achievements, stating, “Baniyas Club was able to engrave its name in gold in the records of this precious tournament, and has been the title holder for four consecutive years in the adult category. In addition, the team has achieved other notable accomplishments in the women’s category of different age groups.” He added that their preparations for the tournament began several weeks ago, with the goal of achieving a unique accomplishment and preserving the title in all categories.
Abdul Aziz Al Hammadi, Director of the Sports Training Department at the Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club, praised the distinguished organisation of the tournament and stressed on the club’s message of enhancing awareness about the sport among the widest scale in society. He noted that the Sharjah Club began its preparations to participate in the competitions two months ago through a number of internal and external camps and tournaments.
Obaid Saeed Alketbi, a participant from Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club in the U16, -55kg division, said: “Participating in the Jiu-Jitsu President’s Cup is a source of pride for all players, as it bears the dearest name to our hearts and motivates us to do everything we can to make our way to the final rounds. Our team today is determined to maintain the title the juniors achieved last year, and the beginning is very promising, as we succeeded in resolving the first group of fights that were not without difficulty, and we will continue with team spirit until the coronation.”
Alyazia Alhammadi, a participant from Al Wahda Club Jiu-Jitsu Academy in the U16 -45kg division, expressed her gratitude towards the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation for the professional organisation of the tournament, saying: “We started our preparations at Al-Wahda Club a full month ago to appear in an honourable manner befitting the name of the club that used to climb the podiums. We were able to win the first fights, and we fought a large number of difficult confrontations, and our most important weapons are focus and teamwork towards one goal, which is achieving the title.”
Jiu-Jitsu stars of tomorrow shine at #JJPC! U14 and U16 athletes deliver exciting matches and fierce competition
UAE fast bowler Khuzaima Tanveer has credited the DP World ILT20 with accelerating his rise to international cricket, saying the league gave him the confidence and experience needed to represent the UAE on the global stage.
The 26-year-old, who made his international debut earlier this year, believes competing alongside some of the world’s top cricketers helped prepare him for the demands of international cricket.
“Representing the UAE was a proud moment for me and it’s something every young cricketer dreams about. The DP World ILT20 helped prepare me because you’re constantly competing against high-quality players. It gives you confidence that you belong on the international stage,” he said.
Breakthrough performances
Khuzaima announced himself during DP World ILT20 Season 3 with impressive figures of 4/22 against Sharjah Warriorz.
Since joining the Desert Vipers, he has claimed 24 wickets in 18 matches across two seasons. During the Vipers’ title-winning campaign, he finished with 17 wickets, making him the second-highest UAE wicket-taker in the tournament and third overall. He was also shortlisted for the Blue Belt, awarded to the competition’s best UAE player.
Learning from the world’s best
Khuzaima said one of the league’s biggest advantages is the opportunity to learn from elite players and coaches.
“A lot of the learning happens during training sessions, team meetings and conversations. I was fortunate to share the dressing room with Sam Curran, Naseem Shah and Lockie Ferguson. Even small pieces of advice from players like them help you become a better cricketer.”
He also described interacting with legendary fast bowlers Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram as one of the highlights of his career.
Inspired, not compared
While fans have compared his bowling action to Pakistan legend Waqar Younis, Khuzaima insists he is focused on building his own identity.
“Waqar Younis is a legend of the game. If people see similarities, I take it as a compliment, but my focus is on becoming the best version of myself.”
Eyes on future
Now a UAE international, Khuzaima says wearing the national jersey comes with greater responsibility.
“Once you represent the UAE, people expect more from you and you expect more from yourself. My aim is to keep improving, perform consistently and contribute whenever I get the opportunity.”
He also praised UAE captain Muhammad Waseem for setting an example for local players, saying his performances in the DP World ILT20 have shown that Emirati cricketers can compete with the world’s best.
Looking ahead to DP World ILT20 Season 5, Khuzaima hopes to continue developing his game and make the most of every opportunity.
“Every season brings new challenges and new opportunities to learn. My goal is to keep improving, contribute to my team and continue making the most of the opportunities the DP World ILT20 provides.”
Football fans travelling with Emirates this summer won’t have to worry about missing any FIFA World Cup 2026 action. Dubai’s flagship airline Emirates, has announced that it will broadcast every match of the tournament live onboard its flights through Sport24, its dedicated live sports channel available on the award-winning ice entertainment system.
Passengers will be able to follow every moment of the world’s biggest football tournament while flying at 40,000 feet. The move ensures customers can stay connected to the action no matter where they are travelling, with live coverage available throughout the competition.
Emirates said the complete FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast schedule is featured its ice magazine, allowing passengers to plan their journeys around key fixtures and follow their favourite teams during the tournament.
The live coverage will be available on most Emirates aircraft equipped with Sport24 and Sport24 Extra, although availability may vary depending on aircraft type and route. Selected FIFA World Cup matches will also be shown in Emirates Lounges across Dubai, giving travellers additional opportunities to catch the action before departure.
Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Azteca was transformed into a global stage on Thursday Night as the FIFA World Cup 2026 officially got underway, marking the beginning of the biggest edition in the tournament’s history.
A vibrant opening ceremony showcased a blend of Mexican culture, music and modern spectacle, with performances from international stars including Shakira and Burna Boy. The ceremony was designed to reflect both the heritage of the host nation and the global nature of the tournament, which for the first time will be staged across three countries — Mexico, the United States and Canada.
Before the first whistle of the competition, the atmosphere inside the historic stadium reached a crescendo as thousands of fans filled the stands, waving flags and lighting up the arena in a sea of colour. The Estadio Azteca, already steeped in football history, has now become the first venue in the world to host matches across three separate FIFA World Cups, having previously staged the 1970 and 1986 finals.
In a further highlight of the ceremony, Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli performed the tournament’s official anthem, adding a classical flourish to an evening otherwise defined by high-energy performances and large-scale choreography.
FIFA officials described the opening event as a “symbolic bridge between continents”, underlining the expanded format of the 2026 tournament. For the first time, the World Cup will feature 48 teams — up from 32 — and a total of 104 matches, spread across 16 host cities across North America. The expansion is intended to increase global participation and bring the tournament to a wider range of supporters.
Immediately after the ceremony, hosts Mexico faced South Africa in the tournament’s opening match, kicking off what is expected to be a month-long football spectacle. The match began under heavy security and heightened global attention, with millions watching around the world.
The expanded format has also brought logistical challenges, with teams required to travel across vast distances between venues in multiple countries. Organisers have emphasised investments in transport infrastructure, stadium upgrades and sustainability measures aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of the tournament.
The 2026 edition also arrives at a time when football’s global profile continues to grow rapidly, with record broadcast deals, increased digital streaming access and heightened commercial interest from sponsors. Analysts expect the tournament to break previous viewership records, particularly given its tri-nation hosting model and expanded team lineup.
Estadio Azteca itself remains one of football’s most storied venues. It famously hosted Brazil’s Pelé lifting the trophy in 1970 and Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” and “Goal of the Century” performances in 1986. Its role in opening the 2026 tournament has been widely seen as a nod to football’s rich history in Mexico, while also signalling a new era for the sport.
As fireworks lit up the Mexico City skyline following the ceremony, attention now turns to the next phase of the tournament’s opening schedule, with matches set to continue across North America in what promises to be the most geographically expansive World Cup ever staged.
For fans, players and organisers alike, the message from Mexico City was clear: the world’s biggest sporting event has begun, and it is set to be bigger, broader and more ambitious than ever before.
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