Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, December 11, 2024: The inaugural OCA-Jiu-Jitsu Asian Union Development Programme for Coaches and Referees got underway with an enthusiastic reception from participants at the opening ceremony on Wednesday, December 11.
Fahed Al-Shamsi, General Secretary of the JJAU, and Wissam Trkmani, OCA’s Director of Development and NOC Relations, were among the 123-strong coaches and referees from 36 Asian National Olympic Committees, who all gave a thumbs-up and a resounding ‘O-C-A’ shout as the five-day camp at the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Academy got underway.
In his opening welcoming speech, Fahed Al-Shamsi, who is also the General Secretary of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, thanked the Olympic Council of Asia for picking the UAE as host venue for this development programme.
“We thank the OCA for giving us this opportunity. It is nice to see the Asian jiu-jitsu family all here for this important development camp and I urge all of you, coaches and referees, when you go back home to share everything you learn over the next few days,” Fahed Al-Shamsi said.
The OCA’s Wissam Trkmani welcomed all participants to the latest OCA development programme. Started in 2022 as a one-stop shop to disseminate knowledge, this is the fourth development programme for coaches and referees in a number of sports.
A total of 61 coaches and 58 referees are participating.
“On behalf of the OCA, it is a pleasure to welcome all of you to this jiu-jitsu programme. I hope all of you will benefit from this event,” Mr. Trkmani said.
Also speaking at the opening ceremony was Alexandre Nascimento, head of instructors and a head referee with the Jiu-Jitsu International Federation since 2018.
“This is a huge opportunity for all of Asia and we are grateful to the Olympic Council of Asia for this chance to come together and learn about the latest techniques and new rules in jiu-jitsu,” said Brazilian Nascimento.
