CAN ATHLETICS CONTINUE TO MAKE ASIAN IMPRESSION AT ASHGABAT 2017

 With only a month to go until Turkmenistan hosts the biggest ever Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, Jordan’s athletes will be hoping they can take their fine summer form into the indoors season.

Athletes have made an impression at both junior and senior level throughout the summer, showing that the sport is very much on the up here. But Ashgabat 2017 will provide an early test for their indoor capabilities.

A team of 20 has been selected to compete across a number of events with Emad Al Ghafri, Hussein Fedy and Khalid Hendawi providing the coaching back-up.

“We have really seen an improvement in the athletes over the past six month,” said Al Ghafri.

“We are hard every single day. All athletes are showing tremendous levels of commitment as they want to put on a great show there.”

The coach explained that there will be a blend of experienced campaigners along with young raw talent heading to Ashgabat including teenage sensation Sharif Al Atawneh, who won Asian Youth gold in Thailand in May.

“After many years of absence it is great for us to be competing on the Asian level again,” added Al Ghafri.

“It will be an opportunity that I am sure our athletes will grab with both hands.”

The team heads to Poland for a training camp with the long distance runners also competing in Morocco prior to Ashgabat.

Jordan is sending its biggest ever delegation to an Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games with more than 100 athletes competing in 13 sports including 3x3 Basketball, Ju Jitsu, Wrestling, Taekwondo, Billiards and Snooker, Muaythai, Weightlifting, Indoor Athletics, Kickboxing, Swimming, Futsal, Chess and eSport.