The JJAU General Assembly took place today in Bangkok alongside the Ju-Jitsu Asian Championships ©JJAU

The Ju-Jitsu Asian Union (JJAU) is prioritising the development of its anti-doping education initiatives with the aim of getting closer to Olympic recognition.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has requested that the continental body focuses on furthering the learning element of its drugs in sport protocols.

It asserts that the JJAU is performing well in its testing operations, its management, and its registered testing pool has been commended.

However, Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF) director general Joachim Thumfart believes the education aspect is a "keystone that we can do more in."

Representatives from the JJIF and JJAU have been present at various events worldwide with the aim of improving their programmes such as the WADA Annual Symposium in Switzerland and the Athlete Biological Passport held in India.

"Education is updating every year as the World Anti-Doping Code and international standards are updated yearly," said chair of the JJAU Anti-Doping Education Committee Leyla Kuliyeva at the governing body's General Assembly here in Bangkok.

"We update the education plan annually and it comes into effect on January 1 every year.

Leyla Kuliyeva claims the 2023 JJAU anti-doping plan will feature at least three educational events per month ©JJAU
Leyla Kuliyeva claims the 2023 JJAU anti-doping plan will feature at least three educational events per month ©JJAU

"The new education plan for 2023 will include a minimum of three to four educational anti-doping activities a month.

"I would like to ask National Federations to cooperate, and let us know of any enquiries as soon as possible.

"Our main goal which we have achieved is WADA compliance and also to be one step closer to the Olympics."

It is not just anti-doping operations which the JJAU is looking to develop, but also its pool of referees.

The General Assembly was held in parallel with the seventh Ju-Jitsu Asian Championships in the Thai capital.

The event is the biggest yet with 443 athletes competing from 30 countries. 

As the organisation continues to grow, it is seeking to increase its pool of referees and is striving for the highest quality available.

The coming year is described as a pivotal one for the JJAU as it is featuring in a number of large events including the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games and the Cambodia 2023 Southeast Asian Games.

"The number of refereeing courses should be doubled this year," said JJAU general secretary Fahad Al Shamsi.

"We are preparing for big events so we should prepare our members in the best way."