JORDAN ON ‘CUE’ FOR ASHGABAT 2017

 With Jordan hoping to host the World Snooker Championships once again next year, having previously done it in 2006, all eyes will be on how the team performs at the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games taking place in Ashgabat in a fortnight.

Jordan is sending seven players to compete in various types of cue sports which are one of 21 sports included on the roster for the biggest multi-sport event ever hosted in Central asia.

Jamal Subeh, Sharaf Al Ma’aitah, Muath Al Majali, Mashhour Abu Tayeh, Mohammad Ahmad Na’eem and Ahmad Al Okaili have all been through an intensive four-month training programme to be as best prepared as possible for the challenges to come.

Ratib Al Damen, Jordan Billiard and Snooker Federation President, said it is an honour for his sport to have returned to Jordan’s Asian Indoor Games squad and hopes to repay the faith of the Jordan Olympic Committee with some big performances.

“It’s great to back competing in the Asian Indoor Games as it has been a long time since we were last there,” he said.

“The players are focussed and showing some good form ahead of us travelling to Ashgabat.

“Na’eem and Al Okaili are both playing professionally in the UAE so it is an honour to welcome them back to the squad.

We have some outstanding players in Jordan who will meet some of the world’s best out there but I expect us to do well.”

Asian players currently lead the world’s ranking so the standard will be exceptional in Turkmenistan, where the Opening Ceremony launches proceedings on September 17.

A big performance is important, as following Ashgabat, the players move on to Qatar to participate in the World Snooker Championships, and Jordan then has an eye on 2018 and the possibility of hosting the event back in Jordan.