FIRST TEAM JORDAN ATHLETES HEAD TO ASIAN GAMES

Jordan’s quest for Asian Games glory will see 35 athletes compete across eight sports, with the initial delegation expected to arrive in Indonesia on Thursday.

The 18th edition of the Games will be held in the cities of Jakarta and Palembang, and Jordan has selected a talented squad capable of pushing for medals following the Opening Ceremony on Saturday.

 The team members representing Taekwondo, Swimming and 3x3 Basketball are among the first athletes that will compete for Jordan.

The in-form Taekwondo team will be headed by Olympic gold medallist Ahmad Abu Ghaush, who is hoping to be fit following a broken rib, along with Saleh Al Sharabati and Juliana Al Sadeq who both picked up medals at last weekend’s World Taekwondo Grand Prix in Moscow.

Hamzeh Qattan, Zaid Mustafa and Rama Abu Al Rub are also capable of medals, with the team coached by Faris Al Assaf and Laith Othman.

The trio of swimmer hoping to impress include Olympian Khader Baqleh, Amro Al Wer and Mohammad Al Bdour with national coach, Dr. Ali Al Nawaiseh, overseeing their participation.

Baqleh will be hoping to bring his US college form to the Asian pool in the 100m, 200m and 400m Freestyle as well as the 200m Medley.

Al Wer goes in the 50m, 100m and 200m Breaststroke events, and Bdour is entered into the 50m,100m Freestyle races and the 50m Butterfly.

Meanwhile, the 3x3 Basketball team consisting of Omar Al Bukhari, Rayan Jarad, Hanna Juha and Shaker Shubair will be making their Asian Games debut.

Following this initial delegation, athletes representing Karate, Boxing, Athletics, Judo and Jujitsu will be making their way to south east Asia to compete.

INDONESIAN AMBASSADOR WISHES TEAM JORDAN WELL

Indonesia’s Ambassador in Amman, Andy Rahmanitov, turned up in person at the Jordan Olympic Committee to wish the initial delegation well.

The ambassador met with the athletes, coaches and officials and explained that Indonesia would be pulling out the stops to make them feel at home.

PRAISE FOR PREPARATIONS

Team Jordan Chef De Mission, Dr. Tayseer Al Mansi, has praised the preparations for the Asian Games.

“We are so proud of our athletes, coaches and everyone who has worked so hard during the past few months to be ready,” he said. “We wish them all good luck and I encourage them represent Jordan in the best way as always.”

WE ARE READY, SAYS INDONESIA

The Organising Committee of the 18th Asian Games has declared itself ready to host the more than 10,000 athletes from 45 countries over the next two weeks.

This will be the second time for Indonesia to host an Asian Games, following their successful hosting of the 4th edition in 1962.

It will be the first time that an Asian Games will be hosted in two cities - Jakarta and Palembang – with athlete villages and venues now completed and ready in both.