Meet our coaches: Amani Hamoudeh

Today’s interview is with Amani, our sports coach from Jerusalem.

• Hello Amani! Can you shortly present yourself (name, age, origin, sports background)?

Hi! My name is Amani Hamoudeh. I am 22 years old. I was born in Ohio but now live in Jerusalem. I got involved in sports through my older brothers who used to play basketball and later I went to study physical education at an-Najah University.

• What is your favorite sport?

Swimming and basketball.

• Why did you become a coach?

I became a coach because I belive that coaches are able to change and to inspire others and to improve the sports in Palestine. I also belive that sport can be like a hidden message for life skills.

• Why are sports important for children and youth?

Sports are important for children and youth. It fulfils their time and it affects their psychological and body health. Besides that sports help children to be social and open minded.

• What do you like the most about being a coach?

I like when children and youth imitate me as a coach not just in sports stuff and exercise, but also they start imitating the way that their coach act or talk and how she/he interacts in different situations. I also like passing values and principles to children and youth during the training sessions.

• How do you in your coaching sessions connect life skills and sports?

I connect life skills and sports through games. Each game involves one or more life skills and one sport skill. After playing I lead the children and youth to conclude what did we do and why did we play this game.

• What is your message for Sports for Life friends and supporters?

My message is that Sports for Life is a real effective institution that cares about improving the society and trying the best to lead youth who dropped out of schools to find a plan B in their lives and sending them to the vocational side instead of sitting in streets doing nothing. Sports for Life is also doing the best to improve and refresh sports in Palestine.