HRH Prince Feisal calls for gender equality in sport on International Women's Day

Jordan Olympic Committee President passionate about encouraging stronger female participation in sport

HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, President of the Jordan Olympic Committee (JOC), today marked International Women’s Day by calling for girls and women in Jordan and around the world to embrace sport - both on and off the field of play.

To mark the annual global celebration of International Women’s Day, HRH Prince Feisal underlined how sport can give girls and women the confidence to become leaders and provide them with a chance to adopt a healthy, active lifestyle. The JOC’s Living Sport communications plan is using sport to promote healthier lifestyles amongst all Jordanians.

With approximately 86% of women over the age of 25 in Jordan either obese or overweight and an emphasis on television as the most important activity for young people (41% male and 46% female) aged 10-24 years, there has never been a more critical time to promote sports and a healthy lifestyle in Jordan.

HRH Prince Feisal, who is also a member of the IOC Women and Sport Commission, said:

"Sport improves people’s strength, health and confidence. There is a proven link between participation in sport and leadership skills and the Jordan Olympic Committee is committed to encouraging both of these things in our young female population.

"On International Women’s Day we should acknowledge the progress that has undoubtedly been made in the Olympic Movement to promote gender equality in sport. However, there is still much more that can and will be done. A ‘lack of exercise’ and ‘bad diet’ are at the heart of Jordan’s health issues - particularly among girls and women. We must continue to educate - from grassroots up - the positive effects of sport and physical activity and encourage more girls and women to get active and embrace sport."

JOC Secretary General Lana Al Jaghbeer - the only female NOC Secretary General in Asia - plays a key role in engaging with females to embrace sport and healthy living:

"It is a privilege to be playing a part in the Olympic Movement's commitment to universality. However, there needs to be a greater emphasis on generating more female leaders in the Olympic Movement. To become the leaders of tomorrow, I encourage young girls and women to be confident, take part, and chase your dreams."

The JOC is the umbrella organisation for sport in Jordan responsible for the management of sport within the Kingdom, including its 32 national sporting federations.

For more information, please contact: media@joc.jo

Visit our website at www.joc.jo

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JordanOlympicCommittee

Find us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/JordanOlympic

You can also find us on social media through #LivingSportJO

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only