Strategic Partnership Between IVSM and EDGE Group to Boost Global Growth of Jiu-Jitsu

Ain Alalam – Rashad Iskandrni

IVSM today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with EDGE Group, one of the world’s leading advanced technology and defense groups, during a ceremony held at Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of His Excellency Abdulmunam Al Hashemi, President of the UAE and Asian Jiu-Jitsu Federations, First Vice President of the International Federation, and President of IVSM, and His Excellency Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO of EDGE Group.

The MoU aims to enhance cooperation between the two sides under a strategic partnership that includes EDGE Group’s sponsorship of IVSM’s tournament series in Latin America, in addition to the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu Championships, which are among the largest and most prominent global tournaments organized by IVSM and attract elite athletes from around the world.

This partnership comes as an extension of the efforts of both parties to support UAE sports and strengthen its international presence, through investment in major sporting events and reinforcing Jiu-Jitsu’s position as one of the world’s leading sports, reflecting the UAE’s vision of building qualitative partnerships between the sports and industrial sectors.

His Excellency Abdulmunam Al Hashemi stated that the partnership with EDGE Group represents a valuable addition to IVSM’s journey, reflecting the growing confidence that its tournaments enjoy from major national institutions.

He said: “We are proud to welcome EDGE Group to our list of strategic partners. This partnership goes beyond traditional sponsorship, embodying alignment in vision and ambition to support excellence and consolidate the UAE’s position as a global hub for sports and innovation. Over the past years, IVSM tournaments have reached dozens of countries and attracted hundreds of thousands of athletes, and today we continue this path with partners who believe in the role of sport in building societies and enhancing the country’s international presence.”

He added: “Sponsoring our tournaments in Latin America and the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam series will contribute to enhancing the experience of athletes and audiences, and support our expansion plans into new markets, ensuring the continued global growth of Jiu-Jitsu and strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as the global capital of the sport. We are confident that this partnership will open wide horizons for cooperation and deliver added value to both parties.”

For his part, His Excellency Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO of EDGE Group, emphasized that community support is a national responsibility, noting that Jiu-Jitsu carries many positive values and contributes to building individuals and strengthening family cohesion. He pointed out that its practice by more than 300,000 male and female athletes in the UAE reflects its strong presence and importance within Emirati society.

He said: “At EDGE Group, we believe in the importance of supporting national initiatives that create a positive impact on society. Therefore, we will continue to provide all forms of financial and moral support to contribute to the development of Jiu-Jitsu and expand its global reach. We have already begun supporting IVSM tournaments in Brazil and Latin America, and we will continue on this path in the coming period.”

He added: “Abu Dhabi is the global capital of Jiu-Jitsu, and from this standpoint, we will fully support IVSM, which organizes around 280 Jiu-Jitsu tournaments worldwide annually, contributing to reinforcing the UAE’s leadership in this sport on the international stage.”