Young runner builds racetrack in ‘athletics-poor’ Northeast Badia

AMMAN — Awwad Shurofat, a Jordanian athlete, used to have to pay JD10 for the three-hour trip from his home in the Northeastern Badia to Amman  every time he wanted to practise running. 

The long trip and the unaffordable transportation expense prevented him from practising daily in the capital, which has suitable facilities for sports training.  

“Whenever I want to go to Amman, the trip is really long and expensive, and it is difficult for me to go back home after the end of the training because there is no public transportation in the afternoon from Amman to the Northeastern Badia. So I stay at my friends’ houses either in Amman or in Zarqa,” the 22-year-old told The Jordan Times in a recent interview. 

However, Shurofat, who is a member of Jordan Athletics Federation- Clubs, did not let the difficulties involved in reaching the capital stand in the way of his athletic career.

Instead, they inspired him to follow his passion and establish a racetrack for runners in his hometown.

It took Shurofat three weeks to finish building his racetrack. 

“I began cleaning the area, and sometimes my brothers helped me. I have enough background about racetrack [building] because I study sport at the Hashemite University, so I built one according to the standards.” 

Shurofat said there are no facilities for athletics in Mafraq, some 80km northeast of Amman, while those available in Amman are considered modest compared to racetracks around the world. 

“Jordanians in Mafraq are not interested in this sport and many of them told me I was making a racetrack for a sport that I will not benefit from. I did not listen to them because I love it and I believe I will do something for the sake of my country in the future,” he noted. 

The athlete has taken part in three global competitions and achieved fifth place in a university competition in Korea. 

“The people who met me in Korea told me it [my result] was a great achievement given the lack of support for myself and my colleagues, and the lack of facilities in Mafraq.” 

Shurofat stressed that despite difficulties, he will work hard to reach further accomplishments. 

“Now I am young and I have to take advantage of that and work hard. I did not want to surrender and I will keep practicing daily to achieve my goal.”