Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club marks 10 years of excellence

The Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club continues to solidify its status as the first specialised club of its kind in the UAE, marking ten years since its official establishment in 2015.

The club stands as a pioneering model in promoting and developing self-defense sports across all segments of society — for both genders and all age groups — by providing a safe and motivating environment for practice, in both government clubs and private centers across the Emirate of Sharjah, in line with the vision of the Sharjah Sports Council.

Since its inception, the club has steadily raised its ambitions to embed a culture of sport and apply sustainability practices. It has done so through a series of technical and competitive achievements and clear, forward-looking plans — all while preparing to celebrate its 10th anniversary in April 2025.

The club exclusively focuses on Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Taekwondo, and currently trains around 1,500 athletes, approximately 80% of whom are UAE nationals. Among them are elite junior and youth national team players — 71 athletes have been selected to represent national teams in the current and previous seasons.

Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club is the most widespread specialized club of its kind in the country, operating five training branches in addition to four more centers launched in collaboration with the Sharjah Municipality.

On the achievements front, the club has so far earned around 35 prestigious local and international awards. It is also the first club in Sharjah to receive ISO certification, reflecting its commitment to the highest standards of technical and administrative performance — and reinforcing its status as a national role model in the field of self-defense sports.

The club continues to serve as a specialized platform for nurturing talent and producing champions in self-defense sports, reaffirming its dedication to performance development and achieving elite sporting outcomes based on global best practices.

Ahmed Saeed Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Club’s Board of Directors, emphasized that the club is working to enhance its sporting environment to be more attractive to Emirati talent — in line with the vision of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah — that clubs serve as incubators for athlete development.

He added that the club is committed to expanding its international presence, both by contributing top players to national teams and through direct representation in international championships, aligning with the strategic goals of the Sharjah Sports Council.

Al Jarwan also highlighted the importance of instilling sportsmanship and educating young athletes, while continuing to work closely with parents, strategic partners, and sponsors. He stressed that the next phase will focus on strengthening ethical values and reinforcing the role of sport as a tool for character-building.

Omar Bukhlef, Director of Strategy and Institutional Excellence at the club, noted that the club is progressing steadily within its 2023–2026 strategic plan, developed based on a specialized foresight study. The goal is to position the club as a smart and attractive environment capable of continued international success, with a focus on sustainability, digital transformation, and advanced training systems.

Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club is recognized as one of the leading Jiu-Jitsu institutions both locally and globally. In 2023, it was awarded the title of “Best Academy in the World for Nurturing Juniors,” and it secured first place in the inaugural Khaled Bin Mohamed bin Zayed No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu Championship, along with second place in the Gi division.

Ibrahim Al Hosani, Technical Director of Jiu-Jitsu and UAE Junior National Team Coach, stated that the club has adopted a comprehensive technical plan aimed at elevating training levels — in line with the remarkable progress Jiu-Jitsu is experiencing in the UAE and globally.

He said the plan includes enhancing athletes’ competitive skills, expanding the future leadership pool, promoting international cooperation, leveraging modern technologies in training programmes, and preparing qualified Emirati coaching staff from former athletes to ensure continuity and excellence.