Basketball legend Jaafari honoured

AMMAN  –– The country’s basketball community gathered on Friday in an informal initiative, setting a precedent in honouring veterans who served the game in the Kingdom.

In what was an emotional reunion for the basketball community, coach Ibrahim Jaafari, whose name is etched in the memory of many players from schools to clubs to national teams, was the first recipient of the Jordan Basketball Legends Award at a breakfast hosted at the Orthodox Club. 

“I was so happy that everyone we approached was so supportive. Ex-players displayed the dedication and loyalty which I hope will be contagious and be relayed to the new generation of players,” said Riyadi Secretary General Fadi Sabbah, who led the organising committee of the ceremony.

“The basketball legends breakfast will honour a veteran of the game each year, someone who has had an impact on the game, made a contribution to his society and has had a positive impact in general,” Sabbah told The Jordan Times.

The event was supported by the Jordan Basketball Federation as well as ex-players, coaches, referees, former officials and Aramex and Umniah companies.

Speakers at the event included former minister of sports and current Ahli club president Saeed Shuqum, former West Asia and Jordan Basketball Federation president and now league commissioner Mudar Majdoub, among others. Proceeds of Friday’s breakfast will support the development of Jordanian coaches and two coaches will be sent to advanced clinics this year.

Jaafari led Jordan to a 4th place finish at the 1983 Asian Basketball Championship, a feat which led late veteran journalist Nazmi Saeed to dub a Jordanian sports team as “Nashama” for the first time. At the time, Saeed said Jaafari is a “national hero who deserves recognition”.

Jaafari played on the Palestinian national team from 1964-1967 before moving to Jordan in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. He later played on the Jordanian national team and the military team. 

The former coach –– who gave so much to the game –– said he does not yet have a Jordanian national number, a fact which would have hindered his participation on national teams under current regulations, and currently continues to affect his children and family in civic issues.