Young Jordanians helping to shape future of sport

AMMAN — The Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) Youth Working Group, which is chaired by Sebastian Coe and includes two young Jordanians, met for the first time in London this week as ANOC looks to young people to provide guidance on how it can support the world’s National Olympic Committees in increasing youth engagement and participation, according to a statement from the Jordan Olympic Committee. During the meeting — identified as an integral part of ANOC’s process of reform and modernisation — the Working Group heard presentations from each of the young representatives, including Mariana Abzakh and Haitham Suleiman of Jordan, who proposed activities that NOCs should engage in to ensure young people are kept at the heart of sport. “I have shared ideas and gained a lot of experience from ANOC and other representative countries,” Suleiman was quoted in the statement as saying. “I am proud to be part of this innovative programme which aims to enrich the lives of children and young people by encouraging healthy lifestyles.” Abzakh added in the statment. “It has been an amazing experience. I have learned so much from the young representatives from other countries on how to teach young people the value of sport in their lives.” The Jordanians joined young representatives from Azerbaijan, Brazil, Great Britain, Palau and South Africa, who were selected through the NOC network and London 2012’s international education programme, International Inspiration, to be a part of the innovative Working Group.