Lana Arnaout

In recent years, wrestling in Jordan has witnessed a remarkable renaissance that placed it at the forefront of the national and regional sports scene. The Kingdom has successfully hosted Arab, Asian, and international championships, while Jordanian athletes have shown their ability to compete and achieve results. Under the leadership of Eng. Mohammad Al-Awamleh, the Jordan Wrestling Federation has built a new image for the sport, strengthened its presence administratively and organizationally, and even reached the presidency of the Asian Council within the United World Wrestling, a position that reflects the continent’s trust in Jordan and its role in developing the sport.

These achievements have not been limited to one gender, as wrestling today includes both men and women. Amman hosted the first Arab Women’s Wrestling Championship, while Jordanian male wrestlers also took part in major continental tournaments, and in both cases Jordan’s presence was significant and influential. Yet despite these advances, Jordanian universities remain distant from this momentum, as they fail to provide a genuine space for recognizing athletic excellence for either men or women. There is still no clear academic framework that allows a male or female wrestler to combine university studies with athletic development in one integrated path.

Athletes are often forced to seek alternative routes outside the universities, through local clubs, federation camps, or even scholarships abroad, making universities merely places for study rather than holistic environments for excellence. This absence is not just about official teams or internal competitions, but about the lack of an institutional structure that embraces sports as an educational and cultural pillar. From designated sports scholarships to equipped training halls and specialized coaches, to inter-university tournaments that enable fair competition, the missing link is an integrated vision that truly supports athletes.

Recognizing wrestling within the academic system for both men and women is not a luxury but a necessity. It ensures continuity of talent, provides a wide base for the national team, and reinforces the university’s image as a comprehensive environment for education and physical as well as cultural development. Jordan today stands before a golden opportunity thanks to the federation’s dynamism and the growing international visibility of the sport. What remains is a genuine academic decision that grants wrestling its rightful place within universities. Only then will international tournaments and individual achievements be transformed into a national system of excellence, placing students and athletes alike as real partners in shaping the future.