JJIF President Panagiotis Theodoropoulos spoke at the Asian Jiu Jitsu Championships Opening Ceremony ©JJAU

The Ju-Jitsu International Federation President Panagiotis Theodoropoulos has praised the organisation of the sixth edition of the Asian Ju-Jitsu Championships, at its Opening Ceremony tonight here at the Bahrain National Stadium.

Theodoropoulos led the speeches at the Opening Ceremony, prior to the first finals of the competition.

United Arab Emirates won five gold medals, while Jordan and Thailand also topped the podium in women's categories.

He expressed his gratitude to the organisers.

"Thank you very much for inviting us to this special event," said Theodoropoulos. 

"I can say that Bahrain has organised a very very good Championships not only because they are experienced, but the mentality of the Bahraini people is to be super organised.

"Thank you to the Ju-Jitsu Asian Union (JJAU) for the promotion of the sport and to the UAE Federation for supporting Bahrain in order to hold a successful Championships. 

"I wish all of you - especially the athletes - great success. 

"Let's keep this sporting family at a high level. 

"Friendship is above everything and we can be together despite the problems that happen time-to-time."

Bahrain Jiu Jitsu President Reda Ibrahim Monfaradi paid tribute to several sports administrators in the country who made the event go ahead.

Bahrain Jiu Jitsu President Reda Ibrahim Monfaradi thanked the King of Bahrain in his speech ©JJAU
Bahrain Jiu Jitsu President Reda Ibrahim Monfaradi thanked the King of Bahrain in his speech ©JJAU

"At the outset, I would like to express my great pride in the unlimited support for Bahraini youth and sports, thanks to the royal directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the first supporter of youth and sports in the Kingdom of Bahrain," said Monfaradi.

"That is through following up the tireless efforts of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for his patronage of the Bahraini youth category and his continuous support for Bahraini sports.

"It reflects his great keenness to make Bahrain a destination for various sporting events, especially in martial arts sports, which has occupied a leading position at the Bahraini level in various regional and international forums."

He also expressed his gratitude to President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Bahrain Olympic Committee President Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa for their continued support for sport in the country.

"The efforts of Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa have an important and pivotal role in the success of Bahrain in obtaining the right to host this important international event, which the Kingdom is hosting for the first time."

He concluded his speech by thanking Abdel Moneim Al Hashemi, President of the JJAU stating he valued the "great confidence" given to the organisers from the organisation.