Sports

AMMAN — Tennis enthusiasts had the chance to meet the most successful coach in the history of tennis — Tony Nadal — who was the guest of honour at the 3rd annual Lexus Tennis Festival which concluded in Amman on the weekend.

It will surely be an event to remember, especially for the kids and coaches who had the chance to get some tips during sessions from the legendary coach, who is the uncle and mentor of Spain’s World No. 1 Rafael Nadal.

Fans wasted no chances for selfies with the world’s most successful tennis coach who was the guest of honour at the week-long event organised by the Tennis Academy Amman TAA and held under the patronage of HRH Princess Lara Al Faisal.

In an interview with The Jordan Times during the Family Tennis Day on Friday, Nadal underlined that success was a combination of “passion and dedication” to the sport.

“Even when you do not expect it, a champion can be there. If the coaches are passionate about their sport, athletes who are serious can become champions,” Nadal underlined.

Nadal who met part of the enthusiastic team from the TAA in Mallorca at the Rafa Nadal Academy this summer, said passionate coaches make successful athletes. The coach, who always enjoyed working with young athletes, said he was happy to attend the festival in Amman adding: “I enjoyed sharing not only my knowledge and experience, but also my love and passion for this sport.”

Born in Mallorca, Spain, Antonio Nadal, is considered the most successful tennis coach in terms of Grand Slam titles in the history of the game. Better known as “Uncle Toni” by tennis lovers worldwide, he has earned a total of 16 Grand Slams with his nephew Rafael, including 10 French Open titles, 3 US Open, 2 Wimbledon and 1 Australian Open title. Their partnership has lasted 27 years, one of the longest and most successful coach-player duos in sports history.

Rafael Nadal was three years old when he began working under the tutelage of his uncle who turned a righty into a lefty on the court. Rafael has now won more than 70 titles and 850 matches under his uncle’s guidance. With Carlos Maya now taking on the job, Tony Nadal will now concentrate on the Rafa Nadal Academy. 

Sports Illustrated noted a story on the coach’s style and Nadal’s success. “In the locker room after a practice session in 2010, Uncle Toni asked his nephew where he’d placed his water bottle. When Rafa responded sheepishly that he’d left it on the court, his uncle shook his head. The world’s best player didn’t summon a tournament employee, but sprinted back onto the court himself to fetch a bottle he’d forgotten. He won the US Open a few days later.”

In this spirit, the TTA also believes that its mission is to build champions both on and off the court, with the firm belief that tennis builds character, teaches perseverance, and has the power to mold a whole new generation of athletes. 

TAA founder and director Khalid Naffa underlined that the continued support of partners and sponsors, and noted the long-lasting partnerships with the best coaches, academies and players in the world “to lean on their wealth of expertise to take our players to the highest levels of the game”.

Last year, the guest of honour was Moroccan Karim Alami, who retired in 2002. As a junior, he reached World No.2 in singles and World No. 1 in doubles.

In 2015, the festival featured an exhibition match between top international players former World No. 13 Jarkko Nieminen and Tunisian tennis star Malek Jaziri, as well as a Family Tennis Day with legendary and multiple Grand Slam champion Mary Pierce. The French champion, is a winner of four Grand Slam titles, including the 1995 singles Australian Open, the 2000 singles French Open, the 2000 doubles French Open, and the 2005 mixed doubles Wimbledon title.

The eight-day Tennis Festival, featured local tournaments open to all age groups, the Amman Masters tournament featuring for the first time, internationally ranked female players, and the Family Tennis Day.

DEAD SEA — Mohammed Fuqaha on Friday captured the title of the 2017 Jordan Drifting Championship after a challenging final round held with the participation of 37 drivers at the Dead Sea Rally Area.

Fuqaha finished in the fifth place in the final round but managed to top the standings with 105 points, followed by Abdullah Abu Hussein in the second place with 96 points and Hesham Issam in the third place with 87 points.

The final round saw Othman Takriti finishing first in his Nissan Silvia S13 with 399 points, followed by Ra’fat Haroun in his Toyota GT36 (395 points) and Abu Hussein in third spot in his Nissan Silvia S13 (389 points).

Issam finished in fourth place (377 points) in his BMW A30 and Fuqaha in the fifth place (367 points) in his BMW A30.

“It was a very challenging round and I tried to put more pressure on the car but the competition was really fierce. I am happy of winning the title and although I finished in the fifth place I am still satisfied,” Fuqaha told The Jordan Times at the end of the event.

“The level of competition is really high and this is good as it gives us the urge to always develop our skills and be ready,” he added.

Othman Naseef, Jordan Motorsport CEO, said that this season’s Drifting Championship was a very exciting and strong one.

“We had many new drivers taking part in the events which shows the popularity of drifting in Jordan. Fans also played a big part in encouraging new names in becoming part of the events,” he told The Jordan Times.

“The experience gained by drivers is truly amazing and prepares them for the next season which we hope to have more drivers which will reflect also on the number of fans who are following such events,” he added.

AMMAN — Jordan’s U-16 team plays Bahrain on Sunday in its last match at the qualifiers for the 2018 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-16 Championship.

Playing in Group A, Jordan has technically secured qualification although it was held to a 0-0 draw by Uzbekistan on the weekend. It continued to lead on goal difference after it beat Saudi Arabia 2-1 in its opening match and Sri Lanka 7-0.

Uzbekistan is the other unbeaten team after it defeated Bahrain 1-0 and Sri Lanka 6-0. Saudi Arabia hammered Sri Lanka 10-0 and has the last match against Uzbekistan Sunday. Bahrain also beat Sri Lanka 6-0.

Organised by the AFC, and held once every two years for Asian U-16 teams, the competition also serves as a qualification tournament for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, with the top 4 countries qualifying. 

Iraq is the reigning champ. Since the event kicked off in 1995, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, China, Saudi Arabia and Oman have each won the title twice. Qatar, Iran, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Iraq won once. Jordan failed to qualify to the 2016 AFC U-16 Asian Championship 

Meanwhile, the U-19 men’s team hosted Iraq this week, losing twice 2-0 and 1-0 as it prepare for AFC U-19 Championship Group E qualifiers alongside Syria, Palestine and hosts Iran scheduled to take place from October 31 to November 8.

Jordan previously qualified to the Asian Championship four times and reached the FIFA Youth World Cup in Canada in 2007. Jordan finished fourth in 2006, but exited the group stages in 2008 and 2010 and reached the quarters in 2012. Jordan failed to qualify to the 2014 Championship. 

On the other hand, the U-23 team which qualified to the 3rd Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-23 Championship in 2018 also has the qualifiers for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics ahead.

In 2016, Jordan was eliminated from the quarter-finals of the 2016 AFC U-23 Championship and lost a possible Olympic slot. In the inaugural AFC U-22 Championship in 2014, Jordan took third place when it beat South Korea while Iraq won the title after defeating Saudi Arabia.

Jordan’s U-23 squad was eliminated from the 1st West Asian U-23 Championship in 2015, and in 2014 the line-up represented Jordan at the Asian Games where it made to the quarter-finals.

AMMAN — The fifth and final round of the Jordan Drift Championship kicks off on Friday with the participation of than 40 drivers at the Dead Sea Service Park.

A heated competition is expected between Mohammed Fuqaha who is leading standings with 81 points and second place driver Abdullah Abu Hussein with 66 points trailed by Hesham Issam in the third place with 60 points.

Ra’fat Haroun is in the fourth place with 58 points and Mujahed Baitamouni in the fifth place with 51 points.

“This is a crucial round where anything might happen and change the standings. So far we are expecting a lot of pressure on the leading drivers but we also expect some surprises from other drivers trailing behind the leading spots,” Othman Naseef, Jordan Motorsport CEO told The Jordan Times.

Drivers are judged according to speed, angle and perfect track line (90 points), showmanship (5 points) and smoking tyres (5 points).

“The maximum participation is for 60 drivers with the best results after two heats will be settled in the final heat where only 13 drivers will take part,” he added. 

The auto sports agenda for this season saw a very busy schedule.

“We are almost done with this year’s agenda and still we have a couple of events until the end of this season. The 5th National Rally is coming up next on October 27,” Naseef said.

AMMAN — Wihdat beat Jazira 2-0 late Tuesday evening to win the Jordan Football Association (JFA) Shield.

Both teams were eager for a title. Last season, Wihdat failed to win a single title while Jazira let the Jordan Professional Football League title slip in the final week. Faisali combined the league and Jordan Cup titles, while Ahli beat Wihdat to win the Super Cup and Shabab Urdun bagged the Jordan Football Association Shield.

Wihdat reached the Shield final after edging Ramtha 2-0- in the knockout semis. They had earlier eliminated That Ras 3-0, Ahli 2-1 and Ramtha 3-0 in the preliminary round of the second football competition of the season.

Two-time winner Jazira reached the final after beating Faisali 3-1 on penalties after a goalless draw in original time. They beat Manshieh 4-0, Shabab Urdun 3-1, and drew Aqaba 1-1 in the preliminary round.

Jazira have not won a title in a while and they were playing their second final this season. Earlier this month, they lost 2-1 to reigning Faisali in the 35th Jordan Super Cup — the first major competition on the 2017/18 football calendar.

The preliminary round of the JFA Shield, back on the calendar last year following an absence of four seasons, saw league teams playing in three groups with the top team from each group as well as the best second-placed team moving to the knock-out semifinal round.

Jazira advanced from Group A edging newcomers Aqaba, Manshieh and holders Shabab Urdun while Faisali topped Group B which included Baqa’a, Yarmouk, Hussein and Wihdat led Group C which included Ahli, That Ras, and Ramtha, who moved on as the best second-placed team.

So far this year, Faisali, twice winner of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup, won the Super Cup and finished runner-up to Tunisia’s Tarajji at the Arab Championship after an impressive performance which included two wins over Egyptian veterans Ahli. 

Looking back at the history of the Shield tournament, Wihdat are a record nine time winners, Faisali seven, Ramtha five, Hussein three, Jazira and Amman and Shabab Urdun twice each, Kufrsoum and Yarmouk once each. Hussein were finalists seven times. Amman, have since scrapped football while Qadissieh were relegated and have since merged with Shabab Urdun

The winner received JD15,000 in prize money. The Jordan Cup is set to start September 25.

AMMAN — The 2017-2018 Jordan Professional Football League enters Week 3 on Thursday with an interesting early season highlight of Wihdat and Faisali playing on Friday.

Faisali, Ramtha and Shabab Urdun maintained their lead after Faisali held Jazira 2-2, Ramtha held Aqaba and Shabab Urdun held Wihdat 1-1.

It was Yarmouk who climbed to fourth after they beat Hussein 2-1. In other matches, Manshieh held Baqa’a and That Ras held Ahli 1-1.

So far this season, Faisali beat Jazira 2-1 to win the 35th Jordan Super Cup — the first major competition on the 2017/18 football calendar. Wihdat beat Jazira lost 2 to win the Jordan Football Association (JFA) Shield final (see separate story).

Last year, Faisali took home their 33rd league title after a four-year break. While three-time champs Jazira, who were last league champs in 1956, led and alternated the lead with Wihdat as Faisali looked like the most unlikely champs earlier in the season. Although winners for a record 32 times, they had lost their aptitude in the past four years when Wihdat dominated. However, they won the title in the final week of the competition and combined it with the Jordan Cup.

Ahli beat reigning league champs Wihdat 2-1 to win the 34th Super Cup, Shabab Urdun scored a major 5-1 win over Faisali to win their second Shield title after they first won in 2007. 

Sarih and Sahab were relegated as Faisali took home JD120,000, Jazira JD80,000, Wihdat JD35,000, Manshieh JD15,000 and Jazira’s Syrian pro Mardig Mardigian won the top scorer award with 14 goals.

AMMAN — Jordan’s Ju Jitsu team has added two more medals to the Kingdom’s tally at the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, according to the Jordan Olympic Committee News Service.

Ju Jitsu World No. 3, Rana Qubbaj added a bronze on Tuesday after reaching the semifinal of the Open Weight where she lost to Mongolia’s Sukar Mangmar.

She won a gold on Monday in the -70kg class.

Teammate Ruba Sayegh also won bronze by reaching the same stage where she also lost to Mongolia’s Ushair Tsug. On Monday she won bronze in the 62kg weight class.

AMMAN — The 9th edition of the Samsung Amman Marathon will be held October 13 under the slogan  “Run to The Heart of The City of Amman”, with the expected participation of thousands of runners from all over the world.

Runners can register for one of three races: 42km Full Marathon, 21km Half Marathon and a 10km Fun Run and the Children’s Race which will be held October 6.

Lina Kurd, the Run Jordan general manager, told The Jordan Times that the marathon has proven to be a very important sporting event.

“Samsung Amman Marathon is an important sporting event, locally and regionally, as it reflects Run Jordan’s keenness at promoting society’s awareness to the importance of sports and living a healthy lifestyle,” she said.

“The marathon’s mission is not limited to the competitive, tourism or health aspects, but also extends to other noble goals; where some ticket proceeds will go to support charities serving different sectors. This event will provide the participants with the opportunity to enjoy walking and jogging in the beautiful streets of Amman, and at the same time contribute in doing some good work,” she added.

According to Kurd, the cooperation and support of the marathon’s partners makes it a very interesting sporting event covering all aspects.

“Run Jordan is proud to build strong relationships and partnerships with different companies for the past eight years, mentioning in particular Samsung Electronics. Samsung has played an important role in the success of Amman International Marathon, placing Jordan on the international sports map and promoting it as a unique sports and tourism destination by attracting runners from all over the world to participate and run in Jordan,” she said.

Last year, more than 10,000 local and international runners participated in all 42km, 21km and 10km Fun Run Race categories and witnessed a new record registered by Kenyan Benjamin Serem in the 42km marathon after clocking 2h18m15s.

Kenyan Victor Kimeli came second with 2h19m57s and Jordan’s Ahmad Muheisen settled in third place (2h29m48s).

Female overall 42km went to Ethiopia’s Yeshumie Ejigu, who clocked 2h47m10s, followed by Kenyan Rebecca Tallam (3h04m33s) and Jordan’s Safa Hasan (3h36m40s).

“It is a very beneficial to rub shoulders with professional athletes in such events and we hope that all runners will benefit from this unique experience,” Kurd said.

Runners can register through run Jordan website www.runjordan.com, Run Jordan’s headquarters and registration booths at malls and shopping centres.

The 42km Marathon will start from opposite Amman Municipality at Ras Al Ain at 6am, the 21km Half Marathon; from Raghadan Bridge at 7:30am, and the 10km Fun Run from the Sports City opposite Gate 1 at 9am. 

The Children’s Race will take place at the King Hussein Park at 9am.

AMMAN — Jordan arrived on the medals table at the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games after winning six medals on Monday in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, according to the Jordan Olympic Committee News Service.  The only gold of the day was landed by Ju Jitsu world number three, Rana Qubbaj, who won the -70kg title despite carrying a shoulder injury.

She beat Mongolia’s Bayartuul Edene by submission in the final. There were also Ju Jitsu silver medals for Hamzeh Al Rasheed (-77kg) and Ruba Al Sayyegh (-62kg), while bronze medals were picked up by Haidar Al Rasheed (-85kg) and Zeid Sami (-94kg). But Jordan’s Monday glory was not confined to the Ju Jitsu team. In Taekwondo, Anas Al Adarbeh won bronze in the -74kg weight.