Sport in Jordan

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Football and basketball are the most-watched sports in Jordan.

[edit] Sports

[edit] Football

Football is the most popular sport in most countries and Jordan is no exception. In every area almost every street people play football from Khalda all the way to Al Hashimi Al-Janoobi. Football is becoming increasingly popular in Jordan, especially because of the large recent improvements in Jordan's National Football Team. The National Football Team reached 37th in September, 2004 according to FIFA. Little Leagues and Youth Clubs related to Football are also very popular in Jordan, some which are supervised and run by the Jordan Football Association.

The Jordan League which is similar to the English Premier League attracts resonalbe crowds each week once the season has begun. The league which began in 1944 has seen huge growth in the past decade, with new teams, improved players, new stadiums and highly paided coaches. Under the Jordan League is the second division Jordan League. However the bottom two teams in the first division get relegated at the end of the season, whilst the top two teams in the second division are promoted. In doing this it gives teams in the second division a bigger motivation to do well in the league, whilst at the same time makes sure that teams in the first division always try their best to avoid relegation.

In 08/09 season the teams in the first division are.

Al-Arabi
Al Buqa'a
Al-Faisaly
Al Hussein Irbid
Al-Jazira
Al Wahdat
Shabab Al-Hussein
Shabab Al Ordon Al Qadisiya
Al-Yarmouk (Promoted from 2nd level)
Etihad Al Ramtha (Promoted from 2nd level)

Whilst the following were relegated.

Al-Ahli Amman - Relegated
Al Ramtha - Relegated

[edit] Basketball

Major improvements are also occurring in basketball in Jordan. The National Basketball Team is now being sponsored by Zain and participating in various Arab and Middle East Basketball competitions. Local teams include: Al-Orthodoxi Club, Al-Riyadi, Zain, Al-Hussein and Al-Jazeera.

[edit] Tennis

Even though only a small percenatge of Jordanians actually play tennis, many more people are interested in watching tennis matches. With the Australian Open Finals of 2009 recording huge numbers from Jordan.

More tennis clubs are popping up across the capital Amman, with many hoping the sport will become bigger not only in Jordan but in the Middle-East.