By Nick Butler

Lana Al Jaghbeer has urged more girls to strive to break through in male-dominated worlds ©JOCJordan Olympic Committee (JOC) secretary general Lana Al Jaghbeer has urged girls to follow in her footsteps and become sports "leaders of tomorrow".


Al Jaghbeer, among the only female secretary generals or Presidents of an Asian or Arab National Olympic Committee, was speaking to a group of teenage girls from Um Al Hakam School in Jordanian capital Amman.

She told them "goals can be achieved through determination and persistence", before sharing her experiences of rising through a male-dominated sports industry.

"Each one of you should decide your own goals along with your families and school," the official said.

"You have an important part in the development and progress of this country," she told them.

"Believe in yourselves.

"A woman is no less of a person than a man and you too can succeed in any career to make a difference."

Following a number of interested questions from the students, Al Jaghbeer provided reassurances that, "whatever obstacles stand in their way, they can be overcome".

Princess Haya, the daughter of the former Jordanian king whose tenure as International Equestrian Federation President ended yesterday, is another female role model ©AFP/Getty ImagesPrincess Haya, the daughter of the former Jordanian king whose tenure as International Equestrian Federation President ended yesterday, is another female role model
©AFP/Getty Images



This marks a latest attempt by the JOC to improve the plight of people in the Arab nation, following a "Living Sport" initiative launched earlier this year to address concerns over the nation's collective health and well-being,

It also comes as National Olympic Committees are being urged to increase female participation, with a constitutional change passed at last month's Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) General Assembly in Bangkok meaning all Continental Federations must have a female member among their representatives on the ANOC Executive Council.

The Arab world, an area where female participation in sport is lower than in many other areas, is a major focus of this drive, with both Al Jaghbeer and former International Equestrian President Princess Haya key role-models. 

Jordan also had four women among its nine strong team at the London 2012 Olympics.

They included sprinter Rima Taha, swimmer Talita Baqlah and taekwondo players Raya Hatahet and Nadin Dawani.

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