ammonnews.net

Ammon News - The U.S. Embassy in Amman, in collaboration with the Jordan Olympic Committee (JOC) and the Jordan Football Association (JFA), conducted a five-day sports program between March 2-7, led by a delegation of five American athletes and coaches specializing in sports medicine, sports psychology, and leadership.

The focus of the visit, implemented Embassy partner World Learning, was to build the capacity of Jordanian coaches and female football players in strength and conditioning, sports injuries medicine, sports psychology, as well as highlight the role of sports in mental and physical health.

Beginning in Amman and moving to Madaba, Al-Balqaa, and Zarqa, the five-day tour included a series of interactive workshops and joint-training sessions with grassroots centers for women and girls – along with their families and coaches – who play football in four governorates. In partnership with the Football Development Program (AFDP Global), the delegation also engaged with Syrian football coaches and participants in Al-Azraq Refugee Camp, with a focus on how sports enhance physical and mental health.

This sports program, implemented through World Learning, builds on extensive engagement by the U.S. Embassy in Jordan and the U.S. Department of State. The United States strengthens cultural ties with Jordan through sports diplomacy, community programs, and exchanges to reach underserved communities to inspire youth and coaches with stories of resilience, teamwork, and education.

In speaking about the visit, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Stefanie Altman-Winans said, “Promoting women and girls in sports and developing the sports sector in Jordan are both priorities of the U.S. Embassy. We have a long history of bringing American athletes and coaches to Jordan and sending Jordanian athletes, including Tae Kwon Do martial artists and Olympic boxing hopefuls, to the United States for training. We hope that this trip will increase girls’ participation in sports throughout their lives.”

Secretary-General Samar Nassar emphasized the importance of the five-day sports program, which aligns with the Jordan Football Association's objective of promoting women's football. In her words, "We are thrilled to partner with the US Embassy to enhance the technical, medical, and coaching staff's expertise.” Moreover, she highlighted the pivotal role that football plays in empowering women and girls and extending their participation across the Kingdom. As she put it, "Our partnership with the U.S. Embassy will enable us to amplify our efforts in empowering women and girls through football and expanding their involvement across the Kingdom."

Sawsan Qaddoumi, General Manager of the Jordan Olympic Academy, which is the educational arm of the Jordan Olympic Committee, commented, "I believe this program represents a great step towards extended collaboration between the Jordan Olympic Academy and the U.S. Embassy. We are looking forward to exploring further capacity building opportunities to enrich the coaches and resources within the sport movement with such valuable experiences."