Taekwondo Youth Sports Festival Closes in Jordan Refugee Camp
- AMMAN, Jordan – The 2025 Hope and Dreams Sports Festival, a multi-sport event centered around Taekwondo for refugees, wrapped up on May 3, showcasing athletic talent and fostering...
- The festival, a joint effort by the World Taekwondo Federation (WT) and the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF), took place across multiple locations in Jordan, including the Zatari and...
- Refugees engaged in six pilot sporting events: Taekwondo, 3-on-3 basketball, Baseball 5, badminton, handball, and weightlifting.
Taekwondo-Based Sports Festival for Refugees Concludes; Expansion Planned
Table of Contents
- Taekwondo-Based Sports Festival for Refugees Concludes; Expansion Planned
- Taekwondo and Beyond: The Hope and Dreams Sports Festival for Refugees
- What is the Hope and Dreams sports Festival?
- Where did the festival take place?
- What sports were included in the festival?
- How many athletes participated in the Taekwondo events?
- What were some highlights of the competition?
- Who organizes the Hope and Dreams Sports Festival?
- What is the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF)?
- What is the WT?
- What recognition has the THF received?
- What are the future plans for the festival?
- In what year was the Taekwondo Academy established at Azraq Refugee Camp?
- Summary of Key Information
AMMAN, Jordan – The 2025 Hope and Dreams Sports Festival, a multi-sport event centered around Taekwondo for refugees, wrapped up on May 3, showcasing athletic talent and fostering camaraderie among participants.
The festival, a joint effort by the World Taekwondo Federation (WT) and the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF), took place across multiple locations in Jordan, including the Zatari and Azraq refugee camps, as well as Amman Sports City, from April 30 to May 3.
Friendship and Competition
Refugees engaged in six pilot sporting events: Taekwondo, 3-on-3 basketball, Baseball 5, badminton, handball, and weightlifting. These events provided opportunities for friendship and athletic competition.
In Taekwondo, roughly 300 athletes, spanning children, youth, and adult categories, took part. The Azraq refugee team distinguished itself in Baseball 5,defeating five jordanian teams.
The Azraq Baseball 5 team has been granted a wild card entry to the 2026 Dakar Summer Youth Olympics.
THF’s 10th Anniversary and Expansion Plans
According to WT President Cho Jung-won, the THF will celebrate its 10th anniversary next year. “We plan to expand to 10 sports,” Cho said.
Since the THF’s inception in 2016, the WT has been actively involved in sports programs for young people residing in refugee camps.
Since 2023, the initiative has grown into a full-fledged sports festival, incorporating sports like baseball, basketball, and badminton.
Continued Support and Recognition
In 2018, the WT and THF established the Taekwondo Academy at the Azraq Refugee Camp in Jordan, providing ongoing educational opportunities.
The THF’s efforts were recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which awarded the foundation the Olympic Cup in 2023 for its humanitarian work through sports.
Taekwondo and Beyond: The Hope and Dreams Sports Festival for Refugees
This article explores the 2025 Hope and Dreams Sports Festival, a multi-sport event centered around taekwondo for refugees, and the initiatives behind it.We’ll delve into what the festival entails, its successes, and its future.
What is the Hope and Dreams sports Festival?
The Hope and Dreams Sports Festival is an event designed to bring sports and camaraderie to refugees. The 2025 edition, supported by the World Taekwondo Federation (WT) and the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF), concluded on may 3rd in Jordan. It featured a variety of sports, with Taekwondo at its core.
Where did the festival take place?
The 2025 festival took place across multiple locations in Jordan:
zatari Refugee Camp
azraq Refugee Camp
Amman Sports City
What sports were included in the festival?
The festival included six pilot sporting events:
taekwondo
3-on-3 basketball
Baseball 5
Badminton
Handball
* Weightlifting
This multi-sport approach aims to offer a wider range of athletic opportunities for participants.
How many athletes participated in the Taekwondo events?
Approximately 300 athletes participated in the Taekwondo events, spanning different age groups: children, youth, and adults.
What were some highlights of the competition?
The Azraq refugee team had a notable success in Baseball 5, defeating five Jordanian teams. Because of their performance, the Azraq Baseball 5 team has been granted a wild card entry to the 2026 Dakar Summer Youth olympics.
Who organizes the Hope and Dreams Sports Festival?
The festival is a joint effort by the World Taekwondo Federation (WT) and the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF).
What is the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF)?
The Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) works to provide sports programs and educational opportunities for refugees. It was established by the WT in 2016.
What is the WT?
The WT is the World Taekwondo Federation, the international governing body for the sport of Taekwondo.
What recognition has the THF received?
The THF’s efforts have been recognized by the International olympic Committee (IOC). In 2023, the IOC awarded the THF the Olympic Cup for its humanitarian work thru sports.
What are the future plans for the festival?
The THF is planning to celebrate its 10th anniversary next year. According to WT President Cho Jung-won, the THF plans to expand the festival to include 10 sports. This expansion demonstrates a commitment to growing the impact of sports programs for refugees.
In what year was the Taekwondo Academy established at Azraq Refugee Camp?
The Taekwondo Academy was established in 2018 at the azraq Refugee Camp in Jordan. The academy provides ongoing educational opportunities.
Summary of Key Information
Here is a summary of key information about the Hope and Dreams Sports Festival in an easy-to-read table:
| Feature | Details |
| :————————– | :————————————————————————————————————————————— |
| Event Name | Hope and Dreams Sports Festival |
| Focus | Multi-sport event centered around Taekwondo for refugees |
| Organizers | World Taekwondo Federation (WT) and Taekwondo humanitarian Foundation (THF) |
| Locations | Zatari and Azraq refugee camps, Amman Sports City (Jordan) |
| Pilot Sports | Taekwondo, 3-on-3 basketball, Baseball 5, badminton, handball, weightlifting |
| Taekwondo Participants | Approximately 300 athletes (children, youth, adults) |
| Notable Achievement | Azraq baseball 5 team granted wild card entry to 2026 Dakar Summer Youth Olympics |
| Future Plans | THF to celebrate 10th anniversary and expand to 10 sports |
| Recognition | THF awarded the Olympic Cup by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2023 |