Programme to promote healthy lifestyle, passion for running at public schools

AMMAN — A programme for junior runners will be implemented at the Kingdom’s public schools to discover, prepare and support young talents who will carry the Jordanian flag in local, regional and international running events, under an agreement signed Thursday.

The programme will be organised by Run Jordan, an umbrella for various local marathon events and races, under an agreement with the Education Ministry and the Madrasati Initiative.  

HH Prince Firas Bin Raad, chairman of Run Jordan, said at the signing ceremony that this will be “an important step to take sports to another level”.

“Run Jordan is dedicated to the promotion of long distance competitive and leisure running among all segments of Jordanian society. This agreement... falls in line with this objective,” he said. 

“We are joining forces to build [on] the existing programming in sports activities between the Ministry of Education and Madrasati through implementing teacher’s training courses and organising running activities for students,” the prince added.

The ministry will supervise the implementation of the programme, while Madrasati will promote Run Jordan’s activities to encourage more runners.

Education Minister Mohammad Thneibat said the ministry is keen on supporting this programme and creating a generation that leads a healthy life. 

“We are proud of this partnership which will include all schools in the Kingdom and according to phases, with the first phase being in Amman,” Thneibat said.

“We all have the same goal in building a new generation of healthy youths who are able to contribute positively to this programme and have the vision of participating in running events and activities because they will be our ambassadors in sports,” he added.

Students will learn the basics of short and long-distance running, running skills and healthy lifestyles and take part in 1-4km races once every two months, according to the agreement.

The first phase will include five boys’ schools and five for girls, while the second phase will cover schools in the rest of the governorates.

Madrasati Director Tala Sweis expressed her confidence in the programme, especially since it will touch the lives of both students and teachers.

“We are excited to be part of this amazing programme which will contribute in building a new generation of healthy students and at the same time promote competitiveness among participants who will be the power behind any Jordanian running events,” she said.