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3rd Hope and Dreams Sports Festival Kicks Off with Powerful Message of Hope in Jordan Camps
published date : 2025-04-30 16:52:21
modification date : 2025-05-22 16:28:23
[Haeny HAN / press@mookas.com]
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World Taekwondo’s 3rd Hope and Dreams Sports Festival opens in Azraq and Za’atari refugee camps, bringing global sports, unity, and inspiration to thousands of displaced youth.
AMMAN, Jordan (April 30, 2025) — The 3rd Hope and Dreams Sports Festival opened with emotional scenes at Jordan’s Azraq and Za’atari refugee camps, where sports lit a spark of hope for thousands of displaced children.
Originally launched as a Taekwondo-only event in 2022, the annual festival has now grown into a global multi-sport celebration, organized by World Taekwondo (WT) and the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF). This year’s edition features six sports: Taekwondo, Baseball5, Basketball, Badminton, Handball, and Weightlifting (equipment donation only). It will conclude on May 3 at Amman’s Sports City.
On the first day at Azraq Camp, young refugee athletes performed demonstrations of Taekwondo, Baseball5, Basketball, and Badminton. For a day, the camp opened its gates to international guests — turning the children not into refugees, but athletes, teammates, and dreamers.
The VIP delegation included WT President and THF Chairman Dr. Chungwon Choue, WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari, FISU President Leonz Eder, Olympic Refuge Foundation’s Gonzalo Barrio, and UNHCR Jordan Representative Maria Stavropoulou. Also in attendance were UAE’s HH Sheikha Jameela Al Qasimi, KTA President Jinbang Yang, Moroccan Federation President Driss El Hilali, Saudi Federation President Shaddad Alamri, and Claude Marshall (THF Board, UNHCR), among others.
The children were greeted with gifts from Amos Food Chairman Ma Hongfan, followed by group activities and photos with the guests. Later, the delegation moved to Za’atari Camp — home to nearly 80,000 refugees — where Taekwondo and Para Taekwondo demonstrations took place on artificial turf donated by TaiShan Group.
Za’atari’s Taekwondo Academy, supported by Korean Refugee Project under UNHCR authorization, welcomed visitors with flag performances and traditional Korean drumming.
WT President Choue reflected, “What started as a dream is now reality. We’re not just bringing sports — we’re planting life values. Life is better when others find happiness through you.”
WBSC’s Fraccari added, “The energy here is amazing. Baseball5 is growing not only in numbers, but in skill. We will keep supporting this movement.”
FISU President Eder said, “These children are our shared future. It’s our duty to make life better for them through education and sport.”
UNHCR’s Claude Marshall noted, “Despite hardships, these young people inspire me. They make the most of what they have — and that is deeply powerful.”
The final competitions of the festival will be held in Amman on May 2–3. For many children, it will be their first chance to leave the camps and compete in a real sports arena — turning dreams into living moments.
[MOOKAS Media | Amman, Jordan | Reporter Hye Jin Han | haeny@mookas.com]
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Haeny HAN |
| A former Taekwondo athlete and renowned Taekwondo and martial arts journalist, Hyejin Han has dedicated over 20 years to in-depth, on-site reporting across 65 countries and over 300 cities. As a KOICA international cooperation officer, he played a pivotal role in promoting Taekwondo in Egypt. Han has expanded Taekwondo content through documentary production, event broadcasting as a caster, and podcast hosting. Currently, he serves as the CEO of Mookas Media's operating company, Mookas Playon Inc., specializing in content creation, promotion, and marketing. He also contributes as an elected member of the Kukkiwon Board of Directors (Media Division) and as an adjunct professor at universities, striving to advance the Taekwondo industry and culture. |
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