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Jordan Withdraws from FIBA U19 Match Against Israel!!
A Unified Decision Based on Core Principles
The Jordan Basketball Federation (JBF) has officially withdrawn the national U19 basketball team from a scheduled FIBA World Cup match against Israel, making a strong statement rooted in both ethics and player safety.
The game was supposed to take place in Lausanne, Switzerland, but the Jordanian team didn’t show up. Instead, the JBF submitted a formal request to FIBA asking not to compete in the match. Israel was awarded a technical victory as a result of the withdrawal.
In a televised interview, JBF President Ahmad Hanandeh confirmed that the decision was unanimous among the federation’s board members. He explained that while the political stance is clear, the wellbeing of the young players was the primary concern.
Concerns Over Player Safety
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He added that Jordan has always stood firm in its values and expects FIBA to recognize the nature of the decision as one of integrity rather than disruption. The federation has urged FIBA not to penalize the Jordanian team or impose any sanctions on its youth programs.
The story has stirred debate both locally and abroad, with many in Jordan supporting the move as a stand of solidarity and principle.