(MENAFN- Jordan Times) AMMAN - The US embassy in Amman, in collaboration with the Jordan Olympic Committee (JOC) and the Jordan Football Association (JFA), conducted a five-day sports programme between March 2-7, led by a delegation of five American athletes and coaches specialising in sports medicine, sports psychology, and leadership.
The focus of the visit, implemented by 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, according to a US embassy statement on Sunday.
Beginning in Amman and moving to Madaba, Balqa, and Zarqa, the five-day tour included a series of interactive workshops and joint-training sessions with grassroots centres for women and girls - along with their families and coaches - who play football in four governorates.
In partnership with the Football Development Programme (AFDP Global), the delegation also engaged with Syrian football coaches and participants in Azraq Refugee Camp, with a focus on how sports can enhance physical and mental health.
This sports programme, implemented through World Learning, builds on extensive engagement by the US embassy in Jordan and the US Department of State. The United States strengthens cultural ties with Jordan through sports diplomacy, community programmes, and exchanges to reach underserved communities to inspire youth and coaches with stories of resilience, teamwork, and education, the statement said.
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 US embassy.
We have a long history of bringing American athletes and coaches to Jordan and sending Jordanian athletes, including Taekwondo 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 emphasised the importance of the five-day sports programme, which aligns with the Jordan Football Association's objective of promoting women's football.
She said: '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. 'Our partnership with the US embassy will enable us to amplify our efforts in empowering women and girls through football and expanding their involvement across the Kingdom,' she added.
Sawsan Qaddoumi, General Manager of the Jordan Olympic Academy, which is the educational arm of the Jordan Olympic Committee, said: 'I believe this programme represents a great step towards extended collaboration between the Jordan Olympic Academy and the US 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.'