From Displacement to Dakar: How the Hope and Dreams Sports Festival is Transforming Lives in Jordan

In the heart of Jordan’s Azraq Refugee Camp, the sound of a ball hitting the ground and the sharp snap of a taekwondo uniform are becoming symbols of a different kind of survival. For thousands of displaced persons, sport is no longer just a pastime; it is a structured path toward visibility, dignity, and international competition.

The Hope and Dreams Sports Festival has evolved from a localized initiative into a powerful multi-sport platform. By bridging the gap between humanitarian aid and elite athletic competition, the festival provides refugee athletes in Jordan with more than just physical activity—it offers a tangible connection to the rest of the world.

The Genesis: Building a Foundation in 2023

The journey toward a multi-sport environment began in earnest in February 2023. The first-ever Hope and Dreams Sports Festival, held from February 25-27, marked a strategic expansion for the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) and World Taekwondo. Whereas the THF had hosted events in the Azraq and Zaatari refugee camps since 2021, the 2023 festival signaled a shift toward a broader athletic scope through a collaboration with the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC).

That inaugural event drew approximately 300 young refugee athletes, including a dedicated team from Afghanistan. The festivities were split between the Azraq Refugee Camp and Jordan’s capital, Amman. In Azraq, the focus remained on demonstrations and community exchange, while Amman hosted the high-stakes Hope and Dreams Refugee Taekwondo Championships for Cadet and Junior categories, alongside a Baseball5 Championship and Senior taekwondo competitions.

This early collaboration was rooted in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in March 2020 between the THF, World Taekwondo, and the WBSC. The agreement was designed to leverage sport as a tool for social inclusion, peace, and development, ensuring that refugees had access to safe and inclusive sporting facilities.

The Rise of Baseball5 in Azraq

Among the disciplines introduced, Baseball5 has emerged as a particularly transformative force. Designed as an accessible, urban version of baseball that requires minimal equipment, the sport was integrated into the Azraq Refugee Camp in 2023 as the debut project of the WBSC Legacy Club.

By 2025, what began as a pilot project had grown into a sophisticated social responsibility operation. During the third Hope and Dreams Sports Festival, held from April 30 to May 3, 2025, the impact of the program became evident. WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari noted that the initiative has grown to include 100 boys and girls playing the sport within the camp.

“It’s really a touching experience because it’s not only to teach them sport but give them hope for a better future,” said Riccardo Fraccari.

Fraccari highlighted the high level of skill and the “fantastic” friendship developed among the players, illustrating how the sport transcends its physical requirements to build social cohesion among displaced youth.

A Global Coalition for Refugee Sport

The success of the Hope and Dreams Sports Festival is not the result of a single organization, but rather a coordinated effort involving some of the most influential bodies in global sport and diplomacy. The THF, World Taekwondo, and the WBSC are all members of the “Sports Coalition,” a joint venture between the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The presence of high-ranking officials at these festivals underscores the geopolitical importance of these initiatives. Recent events have seen the attendance of:

• Chungwon Choue, Chairman of the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation
• Leonz Eder, President of the International University Sports Federation (FISU)
• Gonzalo Barrio, representative of the Olympic Refuge Foundation and Refugee Olympic Team manager
• Maria Stavropoulou, representing the UNHCR

For the athletes, these visits are more than ceremonial. They represent a validation of their status as athletes first and refugees second, shifting the narrative from one of tragedy to one of triumph and talent.

The Ultimate Milestone: The Road to Dakar 2026

The most significant indicator of the program’s success is the transition from camp-based exhibitions to the global stage. The training and competition provided through the Hope and Dreams framework have led to a historic breakthrough for refugee athletics.

President Riccardo Fraccari confirmed a milestone that has never before been achieved in the history of the program: a team of refugees will compete in the Youth Olympics in 2026 in Dakar. This progression from the dusty fields of the Azraq camp to the Olympic arena in Senegal serves as the ultimate proof of concept for the THF and WBSC’s humanitarian strategy.

For a young athlete in Jordan, the path to Dakar is not just about winning a game; it is about the reclamation of an identity. The structure provided by the WBSC Legacy Club and the THF ensures that these athletes have the coaching and support necessary to compete at an elite level, regardless of their legal status or place of origin.

Key Program Milestones

As these programs continue to expand, the focus remains on sustainability. The transition of the Baseball5 project into an “industry leading social responsibility operation” suggests that the model used in Jordan could be replicated in other refugee settlements globally, provided the same level of cooperation between international federations and the UNHCR is maintained.

The next major checkpoint for these athletes will be their final preparations and qualification milestones leading up to the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar. Their journey from the Azraq camp to the world stage stands as a testament to the belief that sport can provide a bridge to a better future.

Do you feel more international sports federations should adopt the “Legacy Club” model for displaced populations? Share your thoughts in the comments below.