IOC President Thomas Bach visits Al Za’atari Refugee Camp during his mission in Jordan
IOC President Thomas Bach and President of JOC, HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein hold the signed agreement of GFP
LAUSANNE, September 22, 2022 – President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Chair of the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF) Thomas Bach visits Jordan for the first time during a two-day mission accompanied by his IOC delegation to learn first-hand about the sports initiatives promoting a healthy lifestyle and enabling the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect in both the professional sports community and refugee camps in Jordan.
FIRST DAY ACTIVITIES On day one, the IOC delegation had a tour at the Olympic Preparation Center located in the capital Amman, and led by President of Jordan Olympic Committee His Royal Highness Prince Feisal Al Hussein, followed by a visit to the Za’atari Syrian Refugee Camp accompanied by officials from the UN, UNHCR Jordan and Generations for Peace Foundation. President Bach’s visit provided an opportunity to experience the Kingdom’s ongoing initiatives to make sport accessible for all in Jordan.
AL-ZA’ATARI’S UNICEF MAKANI CENTER President Bach participated in sports activities at the UNICEF Makani Centre – a safe space for children to learn, socialize, and play sports. He met with UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency and UNICEF Jordan representatives, who presented the Camp’s facilities and explained the current young refugees' situation and challenges.
PARTNERSHIP RENEWED Following the visit to Za’atari, Thomas Bach together with the President of JOC, HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, signed an agreement announcing the renewed three-year partnership between ORF and Generations For Peace (GFP) at the Olympic Preparation Centre in Amman. The new partnership is designed to include more than 3,000 Sport For Protection activities delivered to 15,000 young people affected by displacement in host communities across Jordan and the Za’atari and Azraq Refugee Camps.
OLYMPIC PREPARATION CENTER Opened in 2018, the OPC is a world-class training facility for elite athletes from Olympic and non-Olympic sports, including support of specially-tailored training plans implemented by specialists. The OPC facilities include a multipurpose sports hall, health club, medical clinic, catering services and accommodation for more than 100 athletes:
“We are honoured to welcome President Bach to the Jordan Olympic Committee’s OPC in Amman and share with him Jordan’s love and passion for sport. The JOC is committed to empowering all Jordanians to participate in sports, from the grassroots to elite level. We are very proud to show President Bach our world-class facilities and the home of the current and next generation of athletes preparing to represent Jordan on the international stage.” said HRH Prince Feisal.
2ND BIGGEST REFUGE WORLDWIDE Bach commented, “The IOC is committed to building a better world through sport. We work hard to promote sport and the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect, 365 days a year, together with our 206 National Olympic Committees. Here in Jordan, host to the second-highest share of refugees per capita in the world, the IOC and the ORF are supporting thousands of young refugees and spreading the values of fair play, peace, and non-discrimination. Our renewed partnership with GFP is an integral part of the ORF’s strategic plan, which aims to reach one million girls and boys affected by displacement around the world by giving them safe spaces to practice sports specifically designed to support their well-being and enhance social cohesion.”
A SAFE HARBOUR FROM CONFLICT ZONES Commenting on this important visit, HRH Prince Feisal said, "In the wake of successive regional crises, Jordan has never hesitated to open its borders to those affected by violent conflict, under the wise leadership of my brother, His Majesty King Abdullah II, Jordan has proved its resolute commitment to harbouring the affected and ensuring their safety, well-being, and inclusion. We commend the ORF and the IOC for their ongoing support to Jordan and their determination to offer programmes that leave a lasting impact on our local communities.”
PROTECTING DISPLACED YOUNGSTERS HRH Prince Feisal continued, “Generations For Peace is extremely proud to be renewing its partnership with the ORF. Through the power of sport and activities that regularly integrate safe sport into the lives of young people affected by displacement, we can support the next generation and continue our peacebuilding mission in Jordan and throughout the world.”
FIRST DAY ACTIVITIES On day one, the IOC delegation had a tour at the Olympic Preparation Center located in the capital Amman, and led by President of Jordan Olympic Committee His Royal Highness Prince Feisal Al Hussein, followed by a visit to the Za’atari Syrian Refugee Camp accompanied by officials from the UN, UNHCR Jordan and Generations for Peace Foundation. President Bach’s visit provided an opportunity to experience the Kingdom’s ongoing initiatives to make sport accessible for all in Jordan.
AL-ZA’ATARI’S UNICEF MAKANI CENTER President Bach participated in sports activities at the UNICEF Makani Centre – a safe space for children to learn, socialize, and play sports. He met with UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency and UNICEF Jordan representatives, who presented the Camp’s facilities and explained the current young refugees' situation and challenges.
PARTNERSHIP RENEWED Following the visit to Za’atari, Thomas Bach together with the President of JOC, HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, signed an agreement announcing the renewed three-year partnership between ORF and Generations For Peace (GFP) at the Olympic Preparation Centre in Amman. The new partnership is designed to include more than 3,000 Sport For Protection activities delivered to 15,000 young people affected by displacement in host communities across Jordan and the Za’atari and Azraq Refugee Camps.
OLYMPIC PREPARATION CENTER Opened in 2018, the OPC is a world-class training facility for elite athletes from Olympic and non-Olympic sports, including support of specially-tailored training plans implemented by specialists. The OPC facilities include a multipurpose sports hall, health club, medical clinic, catering services and accommodation for more than 100 athletes:
“We are honoured to welcome President Bach to the Jordan Olympic Committee’s OPC in Amman and share with him Jordan’s love and passion for sport. The JOC is committed to empowering all Jordanians to participate in sports, from the grassroots to elite level. We are very proud to show President Bach our world-class facilities and the home of the current and next generation of athletes preparing to represent Jordan on the international stage.” said HRH Prince Feisal.
2ND BIGGEST REFUGE WORLDWIDE Bach commented, “The IOC is committed to building a better world through sport. We work hard to promote sport and the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect, 365 days a year, together with our 206 National Olympic Committees. Here in Jordan, host to the second-highest share of refugees per capita in the world, the IOC and the ORF are supporting thousands of young refugees and spreading the values of fair play, peace, and non-discrimination. Our renewed partnership with GFP is an integral part of the ORF’s strategic plan, which aims to reach one million girls and boys affected by displacement around the world by giving them safe spaces to practice sports specifically designed to support their well-being and enhance social cohesion.”
A SAFE HARBOUR FROM CONFLICT ZONES Commenting on this important visit, HRH Prince Feisal said, "In the wake of successive regional crises, Jordan has never hesitated to open its borders to those affected by violent conflict, under the wise leadership of my brother, His Majesty King Abdullah II, Jordan has proved its resolute commitment to harbouring the affected and ensuring their safety, well-being, and inclusion. We commend the ORF and the IOC for their ongoing support to Jordan and their determination to offer programmes that leave a lasting impact on our local communities.”
PROTECTING DISPLACED YOUNGSTERS HRH Prince Feisal continued, “Generations For Peace is extremely proud to be renewing its partnership with the ORF. Through the power of sport and activities that regularly integrate safe sport into the lives of young people affected by displacement, we can support the next generation and continue our peacebuilding mission in Jordan and throughout the world.”
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