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Sport in Jordan

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Sport in Jordan is a key part to the country's culture. Three sports cities in Amman, Irbid and Zarqa, as well as thirteen sports complexes all around Jordan are dedicated to the youth and their participation in sports,[1] providing a positive impact on Jordan's participation in Arab, regional and international competitions. That is especially the case in Jordan's most popular sports of football and basketball, where they participated in the most recent AFC Asian Cup final[2] and the FIBA Basketball World Cup[3] respectively.

Various other sports have positively contributed to the country's culture, such as martial arts and their mixed martial arts counterpart, horse riding, swimming, tennis, badminton, handball and volleyball. Rugby is also a sport growing in popularity.[4]

Amman International Stadium
Entrance to the Al Hussein Youth City Club

Football

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Main article: Jordan Football Association
See also: Football in Jordan

Football is the most popular sport in Jordan.

The sport was introduced during the establishment of the Emirate of Transjordan by the British Armed Forces, who were present with the Arab army at the time.[5] In 1926, Six-a-side football would be played between the Jordanian and British youth.[5]

The first sports club founded was Jordan Club [ar] in 1928 and was limited to football.[5]

1944 saw a new beginning for Jordanian football with the establishment of the General Sports Federation, which the month of April also saw the first iteration of the Jordanian League, as 4 teams participated in the inaugural competition.[5] Al-Faisaly were the inaugural champions of the competition.

1949 saw the establishment of the Jordan Football Association, who were also one of the founding members of the Arab Football Association.[5] The Jordan national football team played its first international match in 1953 against Syria, during a football tournament in Alexandria, Egypt.[5] It would go on to become a FIFA member in 1958.

In terms of its recent history, the national football team reached 37th place in September 2004 according to the FIFA World Rankings, and finished as runners-up at the AFC Asian Cup in 2023.[6]

Basketball

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Main article: Jordan Basketball Federation

International

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Jordan is considered to have among the most competitive basketball teams in Asia and the Arab world.[7]

The history of basketball in Jordan dates back to 1937, but started to gain traction when the Jordan Basketball Federation was formed in 1957.[7] It joined FIBA in the same year, FIBA Asia in 1964 and the West Asia Basketball Association in 1998.[8][9]

The 1980s and 1990s were seen as a golden age period in Jordanian basketball, with the men, women and youth national teams witnessing periods of growth.[7]

The 2000s and 2010s also saw historical leaps to their basketball program, with players such as Zaid Abbas, Sam Daghles, Islam Abbas, Zaid Al-Khas and Mahmoud Abdeen became sought after internationally, after Jordan's qualification to the 2010 FIBA World Championship , the first time in national team history.[7]

The late 2010s and 2020s would see players like former EuroLeague champion Ahmad Al-Dwairi, as well as the likes of Amin Abu Hawwas and Freddy Ibrahim lead Jordan as domestic players, with their subsequent qualifications to the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup and 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Notable naturalized Jordanian basketball players include Rasheim Wright,[10] Dar Tucker[11] and former McDonald's All-American and NBA player Rondae Hollis-Jefferson,[12] who made headlines during the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup for his performances with Jordan.[13]

On the women's side, former WNBA champion Natasha Cloud represented Jordan[14] during the 2021 FIBA Women's Asia Cup in Amman, Jordan.[15][16]

Club

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The Jordanian Premier Basketball League is considered to be the main club competition in the country. Orthodox and Al-Ahli are considered to be the most prestigious basketball clubs in the country, with both having 25 league trophies each since its inception in 1952.[17][18]

The 2000s saw clubs like Zain (Fastlink) and ASU compete for championsips, each putting their marks in the Jordanian basketball scene.[19][20]

More recently, Al-Wehdat earned recognition for their loyal fan base, in addition to two league titles, helping basketball grow further during that period.[21] However, they have suspended operations since their title-winning 2021–22 season.[22]

Combat sports

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Taekwondo

[edit]
See also: Category:Olympic taekwondo practitioners for Jordan

Taekwondo in Jordan has grown in popularity and earned a positive reputation, given its successes at the international stage.[23][24] The martial art was introduced in 1973,[25] after the Jordan Royal Guard requested two teams of taekwondo trainers from Taiwan to train their members in it as a sport of self-defense.[26] Chion-Hwa Chen, who was one of the coaches present, decided not to leave Jordan and ended up becoming a Jordanian citizen, in addition to being credited as the godfather of taekwondo in Jordan. Today, taekwondo serves an important role in Jordan–South Korea relations.[27]

Ahmad Abughaush made Jordanian Olympic history when he won Jordan's first ever Olympic medal, after defeating Russia's Aleksey Denisenko during the 2016 Summer Olympics – Men's 68 kg competition. He also received a hero's welcome, including the Jordanian Royal Family congratulating him,[28] as well as being awarded 100,000 JD by the Jordan Olympic Committee, upon his return to Amman.[29]

Saleh Al-Sharabaty and Zaid Kareem have also earned Olympic silver medals at the 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics, respectively.[30][31]

Mixed martial arts

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Mixed martial arts is a sport that is rapidly growing in Jordan.[32] The country has played an important role in being one of the main hubs of MMA to the Middle East, prior to Abu Dhabi's deal with the UFC.[33] Sami Al Jamal and his business partner Tarek Kalimat are credited towards finding the first martial arts academy in Jordan: Source MMA.[34]

Desert Force Championship was an MMA promotion company based in Amman, which held most of the top-ranked Arab MMA fighters in the region at the time.[35][36]

Ali AlQaisi made history by becoming the UFC's first fighter from Jordan.[37] Jarrah Al-Silawi is another notable Jordanian MMA fighter, currently contracted with the Professional Fighters League.[38] Other notable MMA fighters include Izzedine Al-Derbani,[39] Jalal Al Daaja,[40] Nawras Abzakh,[41] Abdalrahman Alhyasat[42] and Akhmed Fararzha.[43]

Karate

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Jordan has produced notable karate practitioners go through the ranks. Abdelrahman Al-Masatfa has had many achievements throughout his career, including three gold medals at the Asian Karate Championship, two silver medals at the Asian Games and a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Bashar Al-Najjar is another notable Jordanian karateka.

Boxing

[edit]
See also: Category:Olympic boxers for Jordan

Boxing appeared from the early beginnings of the Emirate of Transjordan through the hands of Turkish-Palestinian boxer Adib Kamal,[44] who trained a group of boys and established the first boxing team in 1927.[5] Boxing also made it Jordanian Olympic debut during the 1988 Summer Olympics, with Abidnasir Shabab being the representative that year.

Al-Baqa'a refugee camp is home to notable Jordanian boxers, including Mohammad Abu Jajeh, as well as Zeyad and Hussein Ishaish.[45][46][47]

Brazilian jiu-jitsu

[edit]

Brazilian jiu-jitsu has seen a more recent rise in Jordan.[48] Samy Al Jamal, who spent 30 years in Brazil to become a black belt,[49] is credited towards the growth of BJJ in Jordan.[34]

Shadia Bseiso has practiced the sport and competed in the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, winning silver in the white belt 72kg category back in 2014.[50] She would go on to pursue a professional wrestling career and sign a contract with the World Wrestling Entertainment.[51][52][53]

Ju-jitsu

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Yara Kakish is a notable Jordanian ju-jitsu practitioner, who won Jordan's first-ever medal by a woman during the 2018 Asian Games.[54][55] Her husband Basel Fanous is also a ju-jitsu practitioner and has represented Jordan in international competitive events.[55]

Wrestling

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Jordan is currently building up experience in terms of wrestling.[56][57][58] It hosted the 2024 U17 World Wrestling Championships.[59]

Handball

[edit]
Main article: Jordan Handball Federation

Handball was introduced to Jordan in 1959, when a group of Jordanian students introduced the sport from their time studying in the Arab Republic of Egypt.[60] Between 1959 and 1960, the Ministry of Education adopted handball as part of its official annual championships, and by the end of 1960, Al-Ahli and Jordan Club [ar] formed handball teams.[60] by 1961, the Jordan Handball Federation was formed.[60] Princess Sumaya bint Hassan chaired the Federation's Board of Directors, during which she helped grow women's handball in Jordan.[60]

Jordan Handball Federation itself is affiliated to various organizations, including the International Handball Federation, Asian Handball Federation, Jordan Olympic Committee, West Asian Handball Federation and the Arab Handball Federation. It is based in Amman.[61]

The main handball league competition in Jordan is the Jordanian Handball League [ar].[62]

Volleyball

[edit]
Main article: Jordan Volleyball Federation

Volleyball was first introduced to Jordan in 1938, where it was played around school playgrounds.[63] Decades later, the country decided on forming the Jordan Volleyball Federation in 1961.[63] It would go on to join the Asian Volleyball Confederation[64] and the FIVB in 1971,[63] as well as the Arab Volleyball Association in 1975.[63]

Rugby

[edit]
Main article: Jordan Rugby

Rugby is on the rise in Jordan. There are four clubs in Jordan: Amman Citadel Rugby Club,Nomads Rugby Club, Aqaba Sharks and Amman Saracens

Jordan Rugby Official Website
Amman Citadel Rugby Club Website

Badminton

[edit]
Main article: Jordanian Association for Badminton

Skateboarding

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Skateboarding is becoming popular in Jordan after the construction of 7Hills Skatepark in Amman.[citation needed]

Cycling

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Although cycling is not a very famous sport in Jordan, the sport is developing.[citation needed] The governing body of cycling in Jordan is the Jordanian Cycling Federation (JCF).[citation needed]

Polo

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Polo was introduced to Jordan in 1933, with a military polo team being formed that year.[5]

Hockey

[edit]

Hockey was introduced to Jordan in 1933.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Ministry of Youth - General Information". jordan.gov.jo. Ministry of Youth. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  2. ^ "Qatar to face Jordan for title". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 7 February 2024. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  3. ^ "FIBA World Cup Team Profile: Jordan". nba.com. National Basketball Association. 31 July 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  4. ^ "Rugby's global growth continues in Montenegro, Jordan and Morocco". world.rugby. World Rugby. 10 May 2024. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i "قطاع الشباب والرياضة". 100jordan.jo (in Arabic). Government of Jordan. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  6. ^ "Afif stars as Qatar defeat Jordan to retain title". Asian Football Confederation. 10 February 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d Nasser, Ahmad (19 December 2020). "السلة الأردنية...من القمة إلى التراجع وهذه هي الأسباب". alaraby.co.uk (in Arabic). Al-Araby. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  8. ^ My Game Day App
  9. ^ About Us
  10. ^ "JOR – Idais all smiles after great Jordan moment". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 2022-06-28.
  11. ^ Darquavis Lamar TUCKER (JOR).
  12. ^ "تم التعاقد مع... - Jordan Basketball Federation - JBF". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  13. ^ Rose, Aaron (9 July 2024). "Former Raptors Forward Shares Emotional Message Asking For Another Chance". si.com. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  14. ^ Hurd, Sean (20 June 2024). "Phoenix Mercury guard Natasha Cloud will not be silent about a ceasefire in Gaza". andscape.com. Andscape. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  15. ^ "Team Roster: Jordan". FIBA.
  16. ^ "Natasha Cloud: Being able to represent Jordan means the world to me". jbf.jo. Jordan Basketball Federation. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  17. ^ ORTHODOX AMMAN basketball team, History
  18. ^ "AL AHLI AMMAN - History". asia-basket.com. Asia-Basket. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  19. ^ "نادي زين يغلق أبوابه بعد 7 سنوات عامرة بالإنجازات للسلة الأردنية". jordanzad.com (in Arabic). Jordan Zad. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  20. ^ "التطبيقية يغلق النادي ويجمد كرة السلة ويحرر اللاعبين". alghad.com (in Arabic). Al-Ghad. 31 January 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  21. ^ "Green wave of Wehdat fans highlights continued rise of basketball in Jordan". fiba.basketball. FIBA Basketball. 11 September 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  22. ^ "من المسؤول عن استبعاد الوحدات من "سلة الممتاز"؟". alghad.com (in Arabic). Al-Ghad. 2 November 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  23. ^ "Jordan Secures Bronze Medal at World Junior Taekwondo Championship". petra.gov.jo. Petra. 6 October 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  24. ^ "التايكواندو الأردنية تتسلح بتاريخ مطرز بالإنجازات استعدادا للأسياد". alghad.com (in Arabic). Al-Ghad. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  25. ^ "عروض رياضية فنية مشتركة لفريق التايكواندو الأردني وكي تايجرز الكورية". petra.gov.jo. Petra. 27 July 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  26. ^ "التايكواندو: حزام الرياضة الأردنية الذهبي". 7iber.com (in Arabic). 7iber. 19 September 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  27. ^ "عروض رياضية فنية مشتركة لفريق التايكواندو الأردني وكي تايجرز الكورية". petra.gov.jo. Petra. 27 July 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  28. ^ "الملك يتصل بالبطل ابو غوش مهنئا". Shams News (in Arabic). 19 August 2016. Archived from the original on 21 August 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  29. ^ "JOC to award JD100,000 to Abu Ghaush for Olympic win". The Jordan Times. 25 August 2016. Archived from the original on 27 August 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  30. ^ "Saleh El-Sharabaty wins silver medal at 2020 Tokyo Olympics". royanews.tv. Ro'ya News. 26 July 2021. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  31. ^ Lewis, Andy (8 August 2024). "Superb silver for Jordan's Zaid Kareem in taekwondo at Paris 2024 Olympics". thenationalnews.com. The National News. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  32. ^ Al-Helo, Yaman (27 September 2021). "MMA is taking over in Jordan, one knock-out at a time". jordannews.jo. jordannews.jo. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  33. ^ Passela, Amith (8 August 2020). "Ali Al Qaisi making history as Jordan's first UFC fighter". thenationalnews.com. The National. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  34. ^ a b Al-Helo, Yaman (12 October 2021). "Brazilian jiu-jitsu's rise in Jordan". jordannews.jo. Jordan News. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  35. ^ "Desert Force MMA Championship kicks off on MBC1 | Rapid TV News". rapidtvnews.com. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  36. ^ "Desert Force is finding its MMA niche in the Middle East | The National". thenational.ae. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  37. ^ Bowker, Dylan (6 October 2020). "UFC Fight Island 5: Ali AlQaisi Discusses Continuing to Make History for MMA in Jordan". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  38. ^ Lee, Alexander K. (25 February 2022). "With contract in hand, Jarrah Al-Silawi plans to use PFL Challengers platform to 'kick in the door' for Arab fighters". mmafighting.com. MMA Fighting. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  39. ^ Netherton, Alexander (29 April 2023). "Izzedine Al-Derbani lines up future opponents after BRAVE CF victory over Eduardo Mora". dazn.com. DAZN. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  40. ^ Albano, Thomas (20 September 2024). "Ali Taleb advances to championship contest in violent fashion". bellator.com. Bellator. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  41. ^ [Arab Fighters Triumph in Inaugural PFL MENA Tournament in Riyadh "https://www.spa.gov.sa/en/N2101294"]. spa.gov.sa. Saudi Press Agency. 12 May 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); External link in |title= (help)
  42. ^ "Abdalrahman Alhyasat". tapology.com. Tapology. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  43. ^ Juon, Steve (15 November 2019). "Bellator 234 results: 'Kharitonov vs Vassell' streaming play-by-play updates". mmamania.com. MMA Mania. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  44. ^ Khalidi, Issam (18 November 2013). "Boxing in Palestine: Sanharib Saliba". Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  45. ^ Al-Shugairi, Ammar (5 June 2023). "الملاكم أبو جاجة: من مخيم البقعة إلى الثالث على العالم". 7iber.com (in Arabic). 7iber. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  46. ^ Omeri, Khaled (3 July 2021). "Ishaish brothers share steep path to becoming Olympians". jordannews.jo. Jordan News. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  47. ^ "الملاكمة تاريخ حافل". alanbatnews.net (in Arabic). Al-Anbat News. 16 August 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  48. ^ Duncan, Gillian (31 July 2021). "Meet the Jordanian diplomat who fell in love with the UAE's national sport". thenationalnews.com. The National. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  49. ^ "Samy Al Jamal". bjjheroes.com. BJJ Heroes. 25 March 2012. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  50. ^ "Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu Jitsu Championship 2014 Updated Results". arabsmma.com. Arabs MMA. 18 April 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  51. ^ Celeste, Andrea (21 October 2017). "Jordanian becomes first female Arab wrestler to sign with WWE". jordantimes.com. Jordan Times. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  52. ^ "Jordanian TV presenter becomes first Arab woman to join WWE". newarab.com. The New Arab. 16 October 2017. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  53. ^ "WWE: First Arab woman Jordanian wrestler and first Kuwaiti wrestler announce engagement". royanews.tv. Ro'ya News. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  54. ^ "Not a Woman's Job?: Breaking Barriers in Sports - Yara Kakish". ungeneva.org. United Nations. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  55. ^ a b "Yara Kakish | Asian Games 2018 Jakarta Palembang". Asian Games 2018 Jakarta Palembang. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  56. ^ "Jordan wrestlers impress at the International Wrestling Championship". jordantimes.com. The Jordan Times. 2 July 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  57. ^ Kuttab, Daoud (20 February 2024). "Women wrestlers grappling their way to recognition in Jordan". arabnews.com. Arab News. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  58. ^ "Jordanian Wrestlers Shine at Arab Championship with Five Medals". jordannews.jo. Jordan News. 22 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  59. ^ "Jordan to host U-17 World Wrestling Championship". jordantimes.com. The Jordan Times. 23 July 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  60. ^ a b c d "الاتحاد الأردني لكرة اليد". jhf.jo (in Arabic). Jordan Handball Federation. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  61. ^ "Profile at IHF website". ihf.info. 7 November 2017.
  62. ^ "الهيئة العامة للاتحاد". jhf.jo (in Arabic). Jordan Handball Federation. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  63. ^ a b c d "تأسيس الإتحاد". jvf.jo (in Arabic). Jordan Volleyball Federation. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  64. ^ "LVF in Asian Volleyball Confederation". AVC. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
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