Abdulmunam Al Hashmi presents a token of appreciation to Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee. (SUPPLIED)

In January, BJJ Eastern Europe broke the story that Abu Dhabi’s UAEJJ Federation (Which organizes the World Pro) had teamed up with The Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF is the internationally recognized federation for sports Ju Jitsu) in the goal to work towards bringing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to the Olympic games. Now things have gone one step further with Abdulmunam Al Hashmi, president of UAEJJ federation meeting with Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee.

Joachim Thumfart president of JJIF in an interview with BJJEE, talked about their common plans:

 We have BJJ in the World Games (already 2013 we had two categories there) in the Sportaccord World Combat Games (2013 with 5 divisions).

In the official recognized sports world there is always only one organisation per sports – (we do not have a second football organisation exept FIFA). The “professional section is something else – compare to boxing. AIBA is the olympic boxing and there are many pro federations.

The name is not decided yet but it will be more ‘Jiu-Jitsu’ than ‘BJJ’ – So we need a way to express in the name what kind of discipline we are talking about.

JJIF and World members meet in Abu Dhabi

Abdulmunam Al Hashmi, president of both the Asian Jiu Jitsu Union and the UAE Jiu Jitsu Federation, discussed with emirates247.com the development programme and the popularity of the sport with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach during his visit to the Gulf:

“Jiu Jitsu to be included in the Olympic Games is a long way off but at least we were able to discuss the work we are doing to broaden the horizons of the sport with the members of the IOC and ANOC,” Al Hashmi said on his return from Kuwait.

 

“There are various norms to be fulfilled even before Jiu Jitsu is considered an Olympic sport. It requires a considerable amount of work but we have drawn up wide ranging plans to achieve our objectives.

 

“We have to work a lot to broaden the base of the game around the world with the help of the Jiu Jitsu International Federation (JJIF). We will build a family atmosphere on solid foundations we have already established.”

 

“Sheikh Mohammed has taken an active role to promote the sport worldwide, and particularly in the UAE where there are more than 35,000 practicing the martial art,”

The World Professional Championship will be in Abu Dhabi from April 15 to 19.

Check out the final of the 2013 Ne Waza final at the sport accord games: