| First "Way of Champions" Workshop held in Jordan |
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On March 16, 2008 the first workshop and meeting for Play Football Make Peace “The Way of Champions” was held in Jordan. 40 participants comprised of international and local coaches, representatives from the Jordanian Football Association, and members from both the men’s and women’s Jordanian National Team were present. Mr. Walid Abu Shanab, the general director of the Creative Team for “The Way of Champions” and coordinator of PFMP Jordan, led the workshop. He began by sharing some of the achievements of PFMP both internationally and locally. As a project of the World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (WANGO), he shared of the impact that Play Football Make Peace Jordan 2006 had on the local community. The project was a huge success through the efforts of the many coaches, teams, and community organizations who helped in its success. Based on this success and foundation, Mr. Walid explained the next step that PFMP Jordan would be taking through launching “The Way of Champions” program. He further stressed the important role of coaches, schools, and other officials in creating champions on and off the pitch. He thanked their participation for helping to create and later apply the program as a model for others. The values and principles at the core of the program were discussed deeply by the workshop participants. Mr. Walid prepared a wonderful power point presentation highlighting the impact that PFMP Jordan 2006 had on the coaches and players that participated in that memorable event. Mohammad Al Jailani, a member of the Jordan National Team shared about his experience during the championship match. He shared further how it has affected his behavior and performance on the pitch and in his own social life off the pitch. During the break, many of the coaches continued to discuss the important topics that were being presented in the workshop. They stressed the need for further workshops to improve communication among coaches. The workshop allowed for new ideas, concepts, and topics to be shared that would develop and improve the technical expertise of the participating coaches. Mr. Mohammad Awwad, another member of PFMP Jordan and part of the Creative Team for “The Way of Champions” explained how the program would open dialogue between coaches, players, and even referees off the pitch. Furthermore, the link between “The Way of Champions” program and how it would help in accomplishing team goals by helping coaches in their work were deeply discussed. Mr. Essam Yaghy, also a member of PFMP Jordan and the Creative Team spoke on the role of the program in improving and developing sports and athletes in Jordan. He shared of how the program would have a positive effect and make a lasting contribution not only in sports but in the cultural, social, and voluntary aspects as well. Mr. Salameh Ead, coach of the Jordan National Team goalkeepers, commented on the importance of the program in its impact on the performance of the players on the pitch and in their social lives off the pitch. Mr. Ismail Al-Awadahat, coach of the Shabab Al-Hussein club and who coached the national team in the PFMP Jordan tournament shared how the championship game in that tournament had a very deep effect on him. It positively impacted his ability to better communicate with his players by understanding their behavior. This further contributed in him modifying his system to improve the teams performance and to empower, grow, and reinforce his players’ development. Miss Reema Ramoniah, a member of the Women’s National Team, expressed her desire in allowing a women’s football team to participate and be a model for “The Way of Champions” program. She hopes that this program will contribute in spreading and developing women’s football in Jordan.
Furthermore, Mr. Shahine, stressed the importance and essentiality of creating qualified referee crews from the same age group as the players on the pitch. Mr. Hasan Al-Hakim, an official with the Shabab Al-Urdon Club shared some of the obstacles facing many coaches today. He hopes that this program can help find solutions to the conflicts and disagreements between players on the same team. Mr. Ali Hasan, who was a member of the Iraqi National Team and current coach of the Iraqi community in Jordan, commended the role that PFMP has taken in supporting the Iraqi team in Jordan. He expressed the importance of the program in helping improve coaches which will contribute in developing the level of performance of players both mentally and physically on the pitch during matches. Lastly, a film honoring the efforts of the Women’s National Team was presented in the hopes of encouraging and motivating them in achieving their goals. At the end of the meeting, 20 participants pledged their support for the program. They expressed their desire to participate in the program’s activities and more importantly, in creating a local model that can be shared internationally.
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