Jordan’s taekwondo coach Al Assaf wins major Arab award

AMMAN — Taekwondo coach Faris Al Assaf has won the 2017 Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award as the Arab World’s best coach.

The organising committee has recognised the work that Al Assaf has done in coaching Jordan’s first Olympic gold medallist — Ahmad Abu Ghaush — as well as the successes achieved this year as head coach of the national taekwondo team.

“I’m so happy to win this prestigious award,” said Al Assaf. “This achievement is for all taekwondo coaches in Jordan as well as the whole sporting family to enjoy.” Al Assaf said the support from HRH Prince Feisal, president of the Jordan Olympic Committee (JOC), and HRH Prince Rashed, president of the Jordan Taekwondo Federation, has been crucial in the country’s taekwondo achievements of late.

He also thanked HRH Princess Zeina Al Rashed, and the JOC Secretary General Nasser Majali for their support.

Abu Ghaush has followed up his Olympic gold in 2016 by a stunning 2017 that included gold at the London World Grand Prix and bronze medals at both the World Championships and World University Games.

The Jordan team also picked up an incredible haul of medals at international tournaments in Croatia and Greece recently.