Amman, June 18, 2008; Zain, part of the Zain group, the leading mobile operator in the Middle East and Africa, launched the Harat Zain tournament for the fifth year running in cooperation with Jordan’s Football Association and School Sports Union.

Since its launch in 2004, the number of students that have been enrolled has increased based on a plan to expand and reach all the governorates within the kingdom.

The launch of the fifth tournament of the Harat Zain initiative that aims to contribute to the development of Jordanian football through the early discovery of young talents and preparing them to join football clubs in Jordan and the national team in the future. Since launching Harat Zain in 2004, the company has helped achieve, along with its partners, a number of mutual goals which are manifested in the growth of the number of members who play football Jordan.

Zain’s CEO Dr. Ahmad Al Shatti said: “the Harat Zain tournament, which coincides with the schools’ summer holiday and which has gained wide popularity amongst the targeted segment as well as members of the local community, aims to discover and train young talents at an early stage”. Al Shatti added that the tournament aims to encourage the youth to pursue the game of football by providing them with many incentives, prizes and paving the way for competitive opportunities between the various teams under professional supervision. He further noted that the winning team will reach the top spot based on the players’ qualifications.

“Upon Zain’s social responsibility, the company provides all the necessities for Harat Zain tournament to make sure that the largest numbers of children are enrolled in the tournament. This is done in cooperation with Jordan’s Football Association as well as the Schools Sports Union”. Said Al Shatti. He further noted that the expansion of Harat Zain to reach all areas in Jordan and the growth it will continue to experience embodies Zain’s aim to maintain its support for this initiative which the company considers to be a national duty that supports members of the local community.

Teams from 32 hara (neighborhood) will be participating in Harat Zain 2008 tournament after having chosen the best and most qualified participants to join. The selection process is based on transparency and professional knowledge adopted by its supervisors.

Al Shatti noted that the cooperation between Zain and both associations led to the success of Harat Zain, adding that the sports journalists have been strategic partners in the success of this initiative.

The selection process of the harat players was kicked off the day before yesterday at the Tabariya Hall in Irbid for the Irbid area, Ramtha, Bani Kunana, Al Koura, Ajloun, Jerash and the northern part of the Jordan Valley. Moreover, the launch of the selection process for Amman, Deir Alla, Al Salt, Al Badiyah, Madaba and Ein Basha began yesterday at the Um Habba Hall.

The selection process for Al Zarka, Al Rusaifa, Al Mafraq, and Eastern Badia teams began today at Princess Rahma Hall in Zarka, while the selection process of Al Kasr, southern parts of the Jordan valley, Al Karak, Al Mazar, Aqaba, Tafeelah, Al Shobaq and southern Badiyah will kick start tomorrow at Al Tafeelah Hall.

The first Harat Zain 2008 competition will take place on the 25th of July with teams from 32 neighborhoods competing upon the completion of the selection of team players.