The Al Ain Open will kick off the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF) season this weekend, while the governing body has also donated Dh1 million to those affected in the Yemen crisis.

The opening tournament which begins on Friday, is one of 13 home events on the UAEJJF calendar with Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Sharjah and Al Ain also hosting competitions.

The prestigious Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship from April 14 to 23, closes the eight-month season.

– Going Out: ADIHEX opens its doors to cultural heritage
– Inside Story: The cold truth of the ultimate hard knock life
– Refugees: AS Roma launch ‘football cares’ initiative 

Additionally, 30 qualifying trials will be staged throughout the world for the latter tournament with worldwide rankings also introduced. And for the first time, the UAE Super Cup will take place in November to coincide with the celebrations of National Day.

Abdulmunem Al Hashmi, chairman of the UAEJJF, said: “We are heading for another busy season in both domestic and international calendars.

“We expect that the level of the competitions, both domestic and international, to raise the bar with every passing year. The new ranking system is another incentive for those reaching the pinnacle to be rewarded.”

After 45 Emirati solders died in Yemen, Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, chief executive of the UAEJJF, said one of the tournaments will be renamed as the ‘Martyrs Championship’ in their honour.

“We have some initiatives for them. To remember them we will rename one of our competitions as the Martyrs Championship,” he said, during a press conference at Emirates Palace on Wednesday.

“We want to help those affected in Yemen and the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation have donated Dh1million to help those in need.”