Sports

AMMAN — Jordan’s top golfers have all stepped forward to try and win back the Jordan Golf Open, which has been won by Iraq’s Amer Radee over the past three years., according to the Jordan Olympic Committee News Service. 

The event, from March 23-25 at the Greg Norman-designed Ayla Golf Club in Aqaba, is set to welcome its strongest ever international field, but the Jordanians are training hard to wrest back the title.

Players like 13-year-old UK-based rising star Shergo Kurdi and the UAE-based players Ryad Al Majali and Ramzi Al Zain have confirmed their entry, while those based in Jordan are training under the watchful eye of Radee who doubles up as the national team coach.

“I realise that I am the man to beat so yes it is strange to be training the players who want to beat me but also it is pleasing to see how they have developed too,” Radee said.

“The Federation has invested well in a new facility so they are benefiting from not having to practice on soil.”

One of those local players to benefit is Asad Al Rawashdeh who says there is a new impetus on the out of competition training in order to narrow the gap with the top regional players.

“All of us have been training hard,” Rawashdeh said. “We are training every single day now so we can be in the best form possible for the Open. Like all of us from Jordan, we want to win to keep the trophy at home so.

“Amer is our coach and also the holder of the trophy for the past three years so we know the level we have to reach. It is a very tough course so anything can happen down in Aqaba.”

The gross competition is expected to be held over three days while the nett competition, which takes into account the players’ handicaps, will be held on the second two days.

AMMAN — The women’s national football team is undergoing a local training camp ahead of their upcoming qualifiers the 2018 AFC Women’s Football Championship starting April 3.

Group A qualifiers will be held in Tajikistan with Jordan playing Bahrain, the UAE, Iraq, Tajikistan and the Philippines. The qualifiers will see 21 teams, divided into four groups, vying for four slots to the 2018 AFC Women’s Championship which will be held in Amman grouping the continents top eight teams. The event, held every four years, has been won by China a total of 8 of 15 times. Japan is reigning champ. The top team from each group will move to the championship which includes Japan, Australia, China and host Jordan who has automatically qualified. If Jordan tops its group, the runner-up will also advance.

Team officials and observers have voiced concern over the inadequacy of friendly matches ahead of the qualifiers apart from hosting Algeria in two matches winning 2-1 and losing 3-2. 

Jordan, now 52nd in the latest FIFA Rankings, and 11th in Asia, is eagerly anticipating qualifiers for the 2018 AFC Women’s Championship after the U-17 team competed in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2016, where they were eliminated from the first round after playing Spain, Mexico and New Zealand.  Jordan beat bids from Uruguay, South Africa, Ireland and Bahrain. Jordan was the only Arab team at the U-17 World Cup after Egypt and Morocco were eliminated from the qualifiers.

The U-17 FIFA World Cup, the first of its kind to take place in the Middle East, was a big boost not only for the Kingdom but women’s sports in the region. Now Jordan will be the first country in the west Asia zone to host an AFC women’s championship. 

The last time the senior team competed regionally was in 2015, when they exited the AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament with a winless record.

Jordan’s women’s football teams have been competing in all age divisions in the Asian zone. In 2007, the Kingdom qualified to the AFC U-19 Women’s Championship as the only Arab team but in 2014 and 2016 the team was eliminated from the qualifiers. The U-16 team qualified to the AFC U-16 Women’s Championship in 2013, but failed to qualify to the 2015 and 2017 Championships.

AMMAN — Under the watchful eye of one of Jordan’s greatest ever athletes, there are high hopes from the the new crop of wrestlers, according to the Jordan Olympic Committee News Service.

Yahya Abu Tabeekh retired from his glorious career last year following a decade of competing at the very top of the sport.

It was a natural progression to step into coaching and alongside Ra’ed Al Qaisi he is preparing for Jordan wrestling’s first participation at a major multi-sport event under his supervision.

“We have stepped up training to twice per day for two hours each session,” said Abu Tabeekh, who is preparing six wrestlers for the Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku from May 12-22.

“I know how fit and strong you need to be to succeed at these tournaments so we are able to prepare the athletes to be ready mentally and physically.”

Qaisi said the Islamic Solidarity Games are an important early step for his athletes to test their current level against tough opponents as they plan for more Asian and World level participation.

“Baku is important for us,” he said. “Some of the best wrestling countries will be participating, so it will be like a semi-World Cup for us. The best in the world will be there so it will be great for our athletes to compete and build their experience.”

Jordan is competing in 11 sports in Baku with around 70 athletes.

The wrestlers competing are Ahmad Dahshan, Mustafa Al Qadi, Hamzeh Awd Allah, Sultan Al Damen, Ameer Ishakat and Asem Kharabsheh.

AMMAN — Jordan’s Olympic triathlete Lawrence Fanous said he will bounce back from a nasty crash that took him out of the weekend’s ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi event, according to the Jordan Olympic Committee News Service.

Lawrence was well positioned during the bike section of the race before taking a tumble on a tight corner.

His damaged knee meant that he was unable to continue the race but after a check-up back in Jordan, he has assured his followers that he will be back training soon.

“The knee is still like a balloon and some bad road rash, but I was lucky that nothing got broken,” he said. “It could have been a lot worse. “I’ve learned a few things from this that I’ll take forward to my next races.

This is sport and that’s all you can do in these situations — learn and move on. Onwards and upwards.” Lawrence made history in 2016 when he became the first Jordanian triathlete to compete in an Olympic Games.

AMMAN — Jordan’s Rugby 7s side can take a lot of encouragement from their first venture on to the Asian 7s circuit following some promising displays in Qatar over the weekend, according to the Jordan Olympic Committee News Service.

The side took their place alongside 11 of the top second tier sides on the continent for a two-day tournament that provided plenty of experience for the emerging Jordanians.

It could not have been tougher for Jordan on Day One after being grouped with tournament top seeds Singapore and the promising Pakistan side. But despite two narrow defeats – 24-15 and 24-19 respectively – on Day Two they showed their fighting spirit to beat both Nepal and Bangladesh to win the consolation Bowl competition.

The tournament was won overall by The Philippines Volcanoes who trounced Thailand 41-7 in the final to book their place in the top flight Asian Rugby 7s Series.

AMMAN — Jordan Cup title-holders Ahli host Iraq’s Zawra on Monday while Jordan Professional League champs Wihdat play an away match against Bahrain’s Muharraq on Tuesday in stage 2 of the 14th Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup.

With clubs from five Asian Zones competing in eight groups, and the top two from each group moving to the Round of 16, clubs aim to secure all the points they can early on.

Wihdat will seek to build on their opening 1-0 win over Lebanon’s Nijmeh. They are now second in Group C which is led by Oman’s Saham who beat Muharraq 3-2.

Ahli, who are representing Jordan in the AFC Cup for the first time, need to make up for their opening 1-0 defeat to Syria’s Jeish in Group A. They are in last spot in the group which is led by Jeish after Oman’s Suweiq were held 0-0 by Zawra.

Both clubs have local and regional aims. The local season opened with Ahli making history when they beat reigning league champs Wihdat 2-1 to win the 34th Super Cup — the first major competition on the 2016/17 football calendar. However, Ahli have been struggling in the league and were eliminated from the Jordan Cup. They are fresh out of a 3-1 win over Faisali and are looking to score another victory on Monday. 

Wihdat reached the Jordan Cup semis and are now second in the league. They have been league champs for the past three seasons and won the title for the 15th time last year since moving up to the league in 1975.

This season, Wihdat regional ambitions of competing among top tier teams were dashed early when they were eliminated from the preliminary round of the 2017 AFC Asian Champions League. They beat AFC Cup runners-up India’s Bengaluru FC 2-1 in the preliminary round, but lost 3-0 to UAE’s Wihda in the play-off thus failing to advance to Round 1 of the prestigious Asian competition. They thus moved to the continent’s second-tier club event — the AFC Cup. Had Wihdat advanced in the ACL, Jazira would have joined Ahli in the AFC Cup.

Jordanian teams have never before made it past the ACL preliminary round. Wihdat were knocked out in 2016 and 2015, while Shabab Urdun were eliminated in 2014.

It is Wihdat’s 10th time in the AFC Cup, and alongside aspirations for the professional league title, the Jordanian league title-holders hope to win the record $1 million prize money set for the winner. The event was previously won three times by Jordanian teams: Faisali won titles in 2005 and 2006, and Shabab Urdun won in 2007.

DEAD SEA — Fares Nafash on Friday was crowned champion of the first round of the 4x4 Jordan Championship, held with the participation of 47 drivers in an event that attracted more than 6000 fans of the challenging 4x4 auto event.

Nafash and co-driver Omar Sharkasi in their Jeep Cherokee ended the harsh and challenging track with 2m57s, followed by Hassan Najjar and co-driver Malek Najjar in their Jeep clocked 3m05s in the second place, while Ahmad Khattab and co-driver Mohammed Zou’bi in their Jeep Cherokee clocked 3m 06s in the third place.

According to Othman Nassef, Jordan Motorsport CEO the event proved to be a challenge and popular event which will attract more fans to this season’s calendar.

“We are happy that the event was able to attract such a huge number of fans who cheered their favourite driver especially against the muddy tip and the challenging rocky hill which stopped the best drivers from moving due to its natural obstacle that needed special cars,” Nassef said. 

 “It was a great idea to include such an event in the 2017 calendar and with 46 drivers from Jordan, Palestine and Saudi Arabia taking part we believe that the next round will even be bigger,” he added.

Drivers faced a 1km track filled with various rocky, sandy and clay obstacles and terrain using their off road and modified vehicles against time in accordance to FIA regulations.

AMMAN — The first round of the 4x4 Jordan Championship kicks off on Friday with the participation of 46 drivers from Jordan, Palestine and Saudi Arabia at the shores of the Dead Sea, Parking B area.

The first event which was included in the season 2017 calendar carries the title “Muddy Friday” and will be held for two days.

“This will be the first time we organise such a championship. Drivers will face a 1 km track and a host of obstacles that will test the skill of both the driver and machine,” Othman Naseef, Jordan Motorsport CEO, told The Jordan Times.

“The round will consist of one heat where drivers will try to overcome rocky, sandy and clay obstacles and terrain using their off road and modified vehicles against time in accordance of FIA regulations,” he added.

According to Naseef, the championship aims to adopt the skills of youth, guide them and give them the opportunity to show their talent.

“There are a lot of fans of such events in Jordan and this is their chance to show their talent to many people who are expected to come and watch it,” he said. 

Only one driver from Saudi Arabia will take part.

“We have Majed Al Shamari and co-driver Jafar Kilani and 14 from Palestine meanwhile the rest are from Jordan,” Naseef said.

AMMAN — Jordan’s golf prodigy Shergo Kurdi has confirmed that he will compete at the Jordan Golf Open later this month, launching what promises to be a busy year of competition for the 13-year-old, according to the Jordan Olympic Committee  (JOC) News Service.

The event takes place at the par-72 Greg Norman-designed Ayla course in Aqaba, with organisers promising one the strongest fields in its 27-year history.

And Kurdi has thrown his hat into the ring early to be installed as one of the favourites to pressure three-time reigning champion Amer Radee from March 23-25.

“The Jordan Golf Open will be the start of a busy year of competition,” said Kurdi, who is based in England. “I have not had too much time on the course this winter due to the weather, but have worked hard on my technique and have trained hard on my physical development as well as with physiotherapists and osteopaths so that I am stronger and fitter for the 2017 season.”

Kurdi came of age in the adult game late last year when he made the cut at the King Hamad Trophy in Bahrain, showing that he can compete with the professionals as well as the amateurs.

It has encouraged him to join the Middle East and North Africa Tour which gets underway in Morocco the week prior to the Jordan Golf Open.

“I am really looking forward to competing at the Jordan Open which is my home event,” he said. “The Ayla Course is beautiful and will provide a good test for us all. Amer [Radee] has won the event for the past three years so it will be a tough competition as well. Just what I need this early in the year.”

Beyond the Jordan Open, Kurdi will participate in a number of events on both the European and Asia Pacific tours as well as taking part in national, county and local competitions.

“We are still finalising his complete schedule for the year,” said his father, Musa. “But for sure it will be a busy schedule with a good selection of county, national and international level events. His aim is also to gain World Amateur Ranking points this year and we are trying to focus on building a good foundation in preparation for the Olympics in the near future.”

The Jordan Golf Open is being organised by the Jordan Golf Federation with the gross event to be held over three days and the net event to be held on the final two days as a stableford.

AMMAN — Competition has heated up at both ends of the standings in the Jordan Professional Football League as Week 15 kicks off on Thursday.

Jazira’s lead has been slashed to one point after they were held 1-1 with Wihdat. This week, they have a chance to boost their standing when they play Sarih who are 11th after losing 2-0 to Sahab. Wihdat are second and will next play Ramtha in an important match, as the top three are trailing by a point each.

Ramtha are 6th after they beat Shabab Urdun 1-0. The latter dropped to 7th and next play Manshieh, who are fourth after losing 2-0 to Faisali.

Jordan Cup titleholders Ahli, who lost 2-1 to That Ras, dropped to 8th and next play Faisali. The team seems to have lost momentum after they were eliminated from the Jordan Cup and lost in the opener of the Asian Football Confederation Cup.

Hussein are fifth after a 2-1 win over Baqa’a and next play Sahab who are now 9th. Baqa’a, who are reeling in last spot and close to relegation, play That Ras in a vital match in the bottom half of the standings.

Manshieh who joined the Jordan Professional Football League this season with Sahab have asserted themselves among the leading teams, while former Jordan Cup champ That Ras are going through financial strains and are now in the relegation zone together with Baqa’a who are usually among the upper half of standings. Jazira’s Syrian pro Mardig Mardigian maintained his scoring prowess and leads the top scorers list with 11 goals.

Wihdat exited the Asian Champions League, but beat Lebanon’s Nijmeh 1-0 in the AFC Cup opener. They are looking to win their fourth consecutive and 16th overall title, while Faisali have not won the league in the past four years eyeing their 33rd record title.

In the Jordan Cup, four teams had made it to the semis in which Wihdat will face Faisali while Ramtha play Jazira on May 12 and 16 before playing the final on May 20.