AMMAN — The Jordan Paralympic Federation (JPF) on Tuesday named the 12 athletes who will represent Jordan at the 2012 London Paralympic Games August 29-September 9.
HRH Prince Raad, chief chamberlain and president of the Higher Council for the Affairs of People with Disabilities, said at a press conference held at the JPF that the athletes are ready for the challenge.
“For the last four years, we were able to implement our comprehensive plan which included tournaments and training camps locally and abroad which resulted in qualifying our best athletes to London,” Prince Raad said.
“Our continued and comprehensive planning showed us the meaning of having the right communication tools among each other. We understand that there is nothing easy, but at the same time nothing is impossible,” he added.
The 12 athletes are: Omar Qaradah, Motaz Juniadi, Faisal Hamash, Haidra Kawamleh, Mohammad Torbash and Fatemah Lawi (powerlifting), Jamil Shalabi, Amer Abadi and Abed Ramahi (athletics), Khitam Abu Awad, Fatemah Azam and Maha Barghouthi (table tennis).
Prince Raad thanked all those who worked hard and supported the team headed by HRH Prince Feisal, president of the Jordan Olympic Committee, and all those who believed in their abilities.
In 1969 Jordan participated in the Atlanta Paralympics with five athletes which grew to 12 athletes in 2008 in Beijing.
In London, for the first time ever, Jordan will take part in Classes 11–13 for athletes with visual impairment represented by Abed Ramahi.
“The challenge is quickly approaching as we have 70 days left and we promise our godfather HRH Prince Raad to do our best and hopefully we will bring home medals,” said team member Juniadi.
At the end of the press conference, which was also attended by JOC Secretary General Lana Jaghbeer, a training session involving all athletes was held for the audience.
In Atlanta 1969 Jordan won one silver medal, in Sydney 2000 one gold medal, in Athens 2004 one silver and three bronze medals, and in Beijing 2008 two silver and four bronze medals.
