Dr. Sykes (far right) in the gymnasium with the clinic participants, who are holding bats, softballs, and fielders' gloves.

CLINIC COMPLETED IN JORDAN
2009-11-04

Happy Birthday, Jordan Softball Union.

That might as well be the sentiment at the moment. Two weeks ago in Venezuela, delegates from numerous countries gathered for the ISF Congress, which takes place every other year. The prior edition, in October 2007 in the Philippines, saw the approval of Jordan as an ISF member. Two years later, that national governing body is hard at work continuing efforts to grow the sport.

Dr. Karen Sykes, the International University Sports Federation (FISU) Technical Delegate for softball, did a clinic in Jordan recently for the ISF, to introduce the sport to public school teachers in Amman. Softball had been a part of the Generations For Peace camp there two years ago, introducing the sport to leaders of youth from several countries, and other initiatives have been taking place since then, including as recently as July. Now, this recent instruction there was more localized with the intent of ultimately leading to the implementation of softball in the schools.

The clinic was a joint effort of the Jordan Softball Union and the Jordan Olympic Committee under agreement with the Ministry of Education.

Lecture space and a large gymnasium served as the primary site for the goings-on during the approximately one-week clinic, with a field used on the final day.

Dr. Sykes said that the participants’ understanding and performances improved dramatically and that “their enthusiasm on the final day was wonderful. There was genuine excitement and a desire to keep playing.”

In the first two months of 2010 a competitive league will be introduced for teams from the schools of those who participated in the clinic with Dr. Sykes.

There is definite hope for a bright future for softball in Jordan.