CONFIDENT PARALYMPIANS HEAD TO RIO

Jordan’s Paralympic team sets off for Rio de Janeiro on Friday looking to emulate the golden exploits of the Olympic team from last month.

Ahmad Abu Ghaush won gold for Jordan in the taekwondo, becoming the first ever Jordanian to achieve an Olympic medal, and while the Paralympians have won medals before they travel to Rio in high hopes of achieving more glory.

In table tennis, the experienced Maha Al Barghouthi, Khetam Abu Awad and Osamah Abu Jame' will all be in with a chance of honours while Belal Yousef competes in the athletics.

A strong powerlifting team will consist of Abdel Karim Khattab, Haidarah Al Kawamleh, Mutaz Al Junaidi, Jamil Al Shebli, Tharwat Al Hajjaj and Omar Qaradeh.

"What Ahmad did can only inspire us to try our best for Jordan," said former world record holder Al Junaidi. "He has given us all such a boost that we all now want to win."

The athletes will be supported by a strong technical backroom staff which includes table tennis coach Haroun Al Shaltouni, athletics coach Ahmad Mashhour and powerlifting coach Adel Weshah.

Also supporting will be Dr. Ali Al Hadidi (chef de mission), Dawoud Shehadeh (coordinator), Jaser Nweiran (technical manager), Ahmad Heyasat (physiotherapist) and Rasha Al Khayyat (secretary).

HRH Prince Raad Bin Zaid, Jordan Paralympics Committee President, thanked Jordan Olympic Committee President HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein for his support to the delegation and added: "We have worked very hard over the last four years for this huge event and we are looking to make an impact."

The Paralympic Games take place from September 7-18.