In a historic moment for UAE sport, Salem Hamdan Al Ameri has been awarded certification as the first Emirati referee in wushu at the world level by the International Wushu Federation (IWUF), which is recognised by the International Olympic Committee. The achievement came after he passed the IWUF's examinations, and represents a milestone in Al Ameri's efforts to build a brighter future for the martial art in the region and a personal contribution to the promotion and development of wushu.
The IWUF International Wushu Judges Training and Certification Course (IWJTCC 2026), which he completed, along with the wushu judges training course in Haikou, China, marked an important step in the Emirati referee's career. The achievement has drawn praise from wushu followers around the world.
Al Ameri said: "The goal I am working towards is to establish an official wushu federation in the UAE and make the country a global hub for martial arts in the Middle East and North Africa region, as well as to strengthen ties in this field with China and to host international wushu championships in the UAE — something that would contribute significantly to growing sports tourism in the country."
Al Ameri affirmed that the wise leadership is the example and role model he looks up to and takes pride in. "With wushu's recognition as an Olympic sport, we will seek the appropriate support to elevate this sport in the country, with the aim of preparing the best Emirati wushu players and developing Emirati Olympic champions in the future," he said.
He spoke of his passion for wushu, which he considers the "soul" of sporting spirit and cultural exchange. Thanks to his tireless efforts, wushu is gaining growing popularity in the United Arab Emirates and is becoming an inseparable part of the region's sporting identity.
He added that by continuing to support development, training and competition, the future of wushu in the UAE looks bright, inspiring many to take up the sport with passion and commitment. His achievements have attracted attention and congratulations from wushu leaders around the world, marking a turning point in the history of the sport.
Al Ameri began his journey in wushu in 2014 under coach Don Tiran, and trained under the supervision of coach Prasanna Jayaweera, before continuing his training with Master Andrew Cheung, under the guidance of Master William Cheung in Australia. This intensive training laid the proper foundation for his future achievements, alongside his firm commitment to developing wushu in his homeland.
Known as the "Godfather of Wushu" in the UAE, Al Ameri works as a legal adviser specialising in the promotion of wushu in the country. He has also successfully organised numerous promotional events for wushu across the UAE. In 2016, he organised the first wushu training and refereeing seminar in the UAE in cooperation with the IWUF, which covered all of the country's emirates
and attracted more than 80 coaches representing 25 wushu clubs. Currently, more than 1,000 students are learning wushu in various clubs across the UAE — a testament to how Salem Hamdan Al Ameri's initiatives are inspiring a new generation of martial arts practitioners.
Al Ameri also founded the Arab Wushu and Kung Fu Federation in the United Arab Emirates to promote wushu, and is the sole accredited representative in the country of the International Wushu Federation, the Asian Wushu Federation, and the Arab Wushu Federation.