Queen expresses support for women’s national U-17 team

AMMAN — Her Majesty Queen Rania met with female football players in the U-17 national football team, while training at the Amman International Stadium on Tuesday. 

The young players are getting ready to participate in the upcoming FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup championship, set to take place in Amman in September and October 2016, a statement from Her Majesty’s office said.

The upcoming tournament, which is the largest sporting event Jordan hosts to date, will also be the first women’s World Cup to be held in the Middle East.

Her Majesty talked to the players about their aspirations and the challenges they face as Jordanian sportswomen, reiterating her pride in them and her continued support for the national team.

The players thanked the Queen for her role in promoting equality and sports in the Kingdom. 

Team captain Luna Sahloul expressed the team’s deep appreciation for Queen Rania’s efforts in advancing the standing of women and girls in Jordan, adding that the team considers this championship an opportunity to individually contribute to the success and achievements of Jordanian women.

The Queen also met with the Jordan Football Association’s (JFA) technical department director, Stuart Gelling, and Head Coach Robbie Johnson, who briefed her on the association’s preparations ahead of the international event.

JFA Secretary General Sizar Soubar, JFA Vice President Salah Sabra, Team Manager Soleen Al Zoubi, and Local Organizing Committee CEO Samar Nassar also attended the briefing.

From September 30 to October 21, 16 national teams will compete for the World Cup in a total of 32 matches held in six stadiums in Amman, Irbid and Zarqa.

Jordan will play Spain in the opening of the tournament.

The draw for the group stage of the championship put the national team in Group A, facing Spain, Mexico and New Zealand.

The World Cup is expected to help develop and advance Jordanian football expertise, raise awareness on the participation of women in football, and promote national and regional support for all women’s sports.