Jordanian Federation, THF Cooperate in Azraq Camp

Grass Getting Greener at Azraq Taekwondo Academy

The Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) and the Jordanian Taekwondo Federation (JTF) signed a contract of mandate on Feb. 28, 2018 to cooperate in the management of the THF’s flagship project, the Azraq Taekwondo Academy in Jordan. A refugee camp was created in 2014 near the town of Azraq, Jordan, to accommodate incoming refugees from Syria’s ongoing civil war.

The camp now hosts more than 32,000 residents, many of them children.

The THF began to operate a Taekwondo academy for the children and youth of the camp in April 2016.

The cooperation contract between the THF and the JTF took effect in April, since when the JTF has been supporting THF projects by becoming its local focal point of coordination.

With the construction of a new Taekwondo facility, the academy is being expanded in terms of activities and training. The national federation’s help in coordinating this growth is expected to be instrumental.

Through this agreement, the two organizations have made a strong commitment to collaborate in promoting Taekwondo as a powerful tool for peace and social development as well as of social integration, a point of view strongly advocated by their mother organization, World Taekwondo (WT), which has also supported the project since its launch in early 2016.

The Azraq Taekwondo Academy was jointly launched by WT and the THF as a first pilot project that delivered valuable lessons before the development of other project locations in Rwanda, Turkiye, Nepal and elsewhere.

The sand and rocks outside the Azraq Taekwondo Academy have been replaced by a splash of green - a lawn of artificial grass.

The turf was gifted by THF supporter Shandong Taishan Sports Equipment Co., Ltd. The company also donated Taekwondo mats for the newly built academy that was inaugurated at the beginning of April 2018.

The mats have been in use ever since the new facility opened, welcoming an average of 200 participants on a weekly basis.

The installation of the artificial grass was finalized within the perimeter of the academy’s land in Azraq Camp with the help of THF board member Richard Barnor.

Thanks to the artificial grass, the THF will be able to expand its activities for refugee children and youth in Azraq, particularly now that additional sport organizations, including badminton, are joining the THF’s efforts to assist refugees.

The ultimate objective is to align with international sports federations that have a similar humanitarian vision, and eventually facilitate the growth of the academy as a multi-sports facility.

Localization Means Sustainability: Coach Asif Sabah of THF Azraq Academy

“My main motivation is simply giving these children something that will give them the chance to see something that will bring them back some of the hope they’ve lost,” said Coach Asif Sabah of his unique group of students on Jan. 4, 2018. “Sport can make their life better; it can refine their personalities, and give them something to hang on to.”

His students are Syrian refugees, many of who have suffered traumatic experiences, but Sabah offers them a life-enhancing skill. He is the local Taekwondo coach at the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) Academy in Azraq Refugee Camp in Jordan.

Born in Zaraq, Jordan in 1969, Sabah took up the sport at the age of 19 and started teaching it in 2002. He has also become a qualified Taekwondo first-level referee and possesses vast knowledge of techniques and rules.

Before working with the THF, Sabah managed his own Taekwondo training center in the village of Azraq, near the camp. It was there that he took in a couple of Syrian refugees who wanted to participate in training sessions. Seeing the impact Taekwondo had on these individuals filled him with joy, and is the main reason he joined the THF’s cause.

In order to ensure that its programs are sustainable, the THF focuses on localization - so hired Sabah. He has been coaching at the Azraq Academy since it opened in April 2016.

Still, he recognizes the challenges of both the students and their environment.

“These kids have been through a lot, and dealing with them isn’t always smooth and easy,” he admitted. However, Sabah finds his work extremely rewarding. “I am really touched by how fast their psychology, and their emotional state can change.” he said.

Over time, Sabah has gained their trust and built strong relationships with his students.

“It’s a relationship based on love and respect, it’s much bigger than a coach with his students, I’m very fortunate that they look up to me,” Sabah said. “On the other hand, I am learning a lot from them every day.”

A strong believer in the values of discipline, respect, order and responsibility of action, he conveys these values in every training session.

As a result, Sabah believes strongly that the sport will be of great benefit to the refugees over the long term.

“Taekwondo will raise and improve the self-confidence of these children, directing their attention toward something useful and benefitting them in many ways,” he explained.

Sabah hopes to continue working with refugees well into the future, providing them with long-term benefits and opportunities: “I hope that one day I can help my students gain Taekwondo professionalism and grant them the opportunity to travel and participate at Taekwondo championships all around the world,” he said.

The artificial grass outside the Azraq Taekwondo Academy, and the training mats within, were gifted by Shandong Taishan Sports Equipment Co., Ltd.

Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation Chairman Chungwon Choue expressed his gratitude to the company and to Chairman Zhiliang Bian for their support of the THF.

“Thanks to the donation from Shandong Taishan, the children have a new surface to practice on, while the camp itself gets a soft surface and a splash of color,” Choue said.