US sports envoys say football can bring joy to traumatised Syrian children

AMMAN — US female football envoys worked with Jordanian, Iraqi and Syrian girls in the Kingdom this week to share their experience and passion for sports.

Hosted by the US embassy and funded by the US State Department, the programme included training sessions led by Zola Solamente and Mary Harvey, former US national team players.

“The girls have been tremendous and excited to absorb all the information we’re passionate about sharing,” said Solamente, adding that she felt no difference between the Syrian and Jordanian children she worked with.

“I couldn’t tell who is Jordanian and who is Syrian; everyone was... participating equally, smiling and laughing — trying their hardest, and that’s all I as a coach would ever ask for,” she told reporters during a media roundtable hosted by the embassy on Tuesday.

On the football pitch, Solamente added, all divisions disappear.

Harvey, who was in Jordan for the fifth time as sports envoy, said Jordan’s hosting of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is "an enormous opportunity" for the Kingdom and for West Asia.

The envoys said sport can help heel Syrian refugees.

“At the most elemental level we can bring that [joy] to the Syrian girls who have been experiencing great trauma and tragedy… running around, smiling and laughing,” Solamente said.

As part of their visit, the US footballers also met with the U-17 women's national football team.