Abu Dhabi: The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF) is leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to make sure the sport keeps attracting youths in the years to come.

The sport is yet to gain Olympic status, but UAE is already dreaming big, and wants to be 100 per cent ready, in case Jiu-Jitsu is included for the 2024 Games.

The federation, in collaboration with Palms Sports Company, yesterday announced a scholarship programme — ‘Making of Champions’.

In its first phase, 40 Emirati boys and five girls will get an opportunity to take up Jiu-Jitsu on a full-time basis, without harming their academics.

“This is one of our programmes aimed at preparing the youth for the 2024 Olympic Games, should it be included and it is for the overall development of the players. They will also be given training in leadership and on how to present themselves to the world,” said Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, chief executive officer of the UAEJJF.

“Our vision is to have players who can compete at the world level and this is another exciting project,” he added.

“We will have quarterly meetings to evaluate the overall development of these youngsters, which will include performance in academics, discipline as well as their progress in Jiu-Jitsu,” Al Shamsi said, adding he hoped more sponsors would come forward to support such initiatives to support budding Jiu-Jitsu fighters.

Fifteen-year-old, Mahra Al Hanaei, a grade 11 student from Al Ain, who has been creating waves for some time among girls, will also be the part of the programme.

Al Hanaei, who also aspires to be a doctor, said the scholarship would do a world of good for her.

“It’s a good move to encourage youngsters like us to balance our academics with sport. Jiu-jitsu is my passion and I want to train and compete as long as possible. However, I must give it up at some point and think of my professional career, which is to become a medical doctor,” said Al Hanaei adding that the programme will provide them with the support they need to excel in both the sport and their chosen careers in academics.

“There is now a guarantee that whatever time we spend on training will be compensated by extra lessons for the school time we have missed. There is also financial backing for us through this programme. It certainly would ease the burden on our parents by supplementing the expenditure on our own upkeep,” said Al Hanaei, whose two other siblings — Maha and Hana are also making a name of their own in Jiu-Jitsu.

Omar Al Fadhli, the youngest player in the UAE national team, will also be the part of the 40 elite boys who have been selected. Al Fadhli, who turns 17 on Thursday, revealed that his passion is nothing other than Jiu-Jitsu and irrespective of this scholarship he would have pursued his dream of being a full-time professional in Jiu-Jitsu.

“Regardless of the scholarship, I had made up my mind to pursue on a professional career in Jiu-Jitsu. This programme is really a good move, though, as it will provide us with all the support we need to focus full time on our training and develop to compete at the highest levels. “There are a lot of benefits from this programme to the nation’s youth as it comes with a complete package,” said Al Fadhli.

According to Abdul Munam Al Hashemi, president of the UAEJJF, the project under the auspices of Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE, will take full care of the athletes’ needs.

“This is a pathway for them to become professional athletes. The programme covers their academics as well as extensive training to take their game to world class,” said Al Hashemi.