The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF), the governing body for the sport in the Emirates, has launched a Covid-19 vaccination drive for the country’s jiu-jitsu players at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena in Abu Dhabi, in support of the UAE Government’s ‘Choose to Vaccinate’ campaign.
Starting on Friday January 28, the UAEJFF ‘Protect Yourself, Choose to Vaccinate’ drive aims to vaccinate as many members of the jiu-jitsu community as possible.
H.E. Youssef Al Batran, Board Member, UAEJJF, said that the drive has been launched by the Federation to help amplify the UAE Government’s mission to vaccinate more than 50 percent of the Emirates’ population by the end of March.
“Taking the vaccine is the most effective method through to combat the spread of the virus. I would like to urge the jiu-jitsu community to be a part of the vaccination drive, so we can all play our part to help our country stay safe, healthy and get through this pandemic,” said Batran.
“The community has shown admirable resolve throughout the pandemic in adhering to the precautionary measures laid down by the government. The vaccination is the logical next step towards restoring normalcy and I am confident that our community will embrace this initiative backed by core values of jiu-jitsu such as teamwork, loyalty and unity,” he added.
Faisal Al Ketbi, one of the UAE’s most celebrated jiu-jitsu fighters, and a frontline worker in the UAE’s fight against Covid-19, said that he was grateful to the UAEJJF for organising the vaccination drive and that taking the jab was the duty of every responsible member of the community. “Having been on the frontlines of the battle against the virus, I have seen the countless sacrifices made by those heroes to protect all the people who call the UAE their home. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is a great way of acknowledging the selfless acts of our frontline workers and tireless service towards keeping us safe. As athletes, and role models, we have a duty to set an example by following the advice given by the UAE’s wise leadership and the scientific community,” he said.
The vaccination centre will be operational from 2 pm onwards on Friday, 29 January, and from 10am on January 30 at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena.
