Tala Fahmawi: From volleyball player to academy owner

When you hear of an academy owner, the first image to come to mind is a person in their mid-thirties or forties. This is not the case for Tala Fahmawi, a volleyball player and the owner of the Jordan Volleyball Academy at just 25 years old.اضافة اعلان



Tala Fahmawi, a volleyball player and the owner of the Jordan Volleyball Academy at just 25 years old. (Photo: Handout from Tala Fahmawi)

Fahmawi, a passionate dreamer, has worked continuously over the last 15 years to raise awareness about the importance of volleyball in particular and all kinds of sports in general.

Even after majoring in marketing at the University of Jordan, Fahmawi held on to her first passion, volleyball, which she’s had since she was just 10 years old. This passion is what prompted her to have her own volleyball academy.


A pool volleyball game organized by Jordan Volleyball Academy. (Photo: Handout from Tala Fahmawi)

"You can say that I started playing volleyball by coincidence; we had tryouts in our school, and the coach was impressed by my performance, so he picked me to participate in the school's team," said Fahmawi to Jordan News.

Fahmawi, who believes that people should always follow their dreams, emphasized that she "tried tirelessly, and practiced daily to get the chance of participating in world championships and gaining more experience and knowledge."

The volleyball player is fully aware that Jordanians still lack awareness in regards to the importance of sports and that sports, in general, are not among their priorities.



Jordan Volleyball Academy seeks to include volleyball in people’s daily routine. (Photo: Handout from Tala Fahmawi)

"When I used to tell people around me that I am a volleyball player, they were shocked.  They did not know that this kind of sport even existed. This is an important sport which is known worldwide, and I believe that it is my role to teach people about it," she said.

Fahmawi's love and appreciation for volleyball encouraged her not to look at the financial return as the leading factor when opening her academy. Instead, she focused on encouraging people to share her love for the sport in various ways.

"We organized a beach volleyball game, and also an open day that includes volleyball.  This is to encourage people to come and have an idea about it. I think this way they would like it. Seeing something in front of you is not just like hearing about it or watching it on TV," she said.


Jordan Volleyball Academy seeks to include volleyball in people’s daily routine. (Photo: Handout from Tala Fahmawi)

The volleyball academy owner believes that everyone should allocate some time for sports during their day and for volleyball in particular. This is why Fahmawi emphasized: "The academy welcomes everyone, despite their ages or their athletic level. We just want everyone to play this game and benefit from it, and we are here ready to help you and give you the needed support."

"Me and my partner, coach Ali Saif, train our players twice a week in the Islamic Scientific College - Jubeiha, and for this session, we have 22 participants from all ages and even different countries like the Philippines and France," she said.

"We are looking forward to having a bigger number of participants; because playing sports is more than just playing; you are also releasing negative energy."


Jordan Volleyball Academy seeks to include volleyball in people’s daily routine. (Photo: Handout from Tala Fahmawi)

Fahmawi has never denied that her journey in volleyball was filled with obstacles. However, she’s stuck with the belief that this kind of sport is essential, and that people who join it can be fully dedicated to it that they even leave their problems behind once the game starts. Her passion for sports motivates her and makes her want to achieve more despite all the obstacles she faces.

“The biggest obstacle that I face — and many female volleyball players face — is that usually there is a lack of support for us,” Fahmawi told Jordan News. “When we participate in national and international championships, we had no paramedics with us. We used to get injured and left behind; no one looked for us or cared about us."

"I should not also forget that many volleyball players quit volleyball just because they get no health insurance or a good salary," she stated. "Unlike other countries where players are fully dedicated to this game because they get everything they need and even more. They are highly respected."

The volleyball player demands from relevant authorities are for them to  "pay more attention for athletes, and to let them feel that they are respected in their countries.” She insists that this way, athletes will develop themselves more knowing that they are not only representing themselves but their country as well.

The presence of Jordanian talent inspires Fahmawi. She believes that Jordan is full of talents who are left behind and not given the support they need to pursue these talents.

She firmly believes that sports, in general, help and contribute to developing the player's character, primarily due to the diversity present when players deal with people from different backgrounds and nationalities.

Beyond diversity, Fahmawi believes that sports teach teamwork, where players must think of their team as a whole and not only about themselves.

Sports are also inseparable from pleasure and entertainment in her view. The volleyball player believes that all kinds of sports are important, but volleyball is still the most important and the most entertaining from her own point of view.

The support of her friends and family encouraged Fahmawi through her journey in sports, which enabled her to continue pursuing her dream. She firmly believes that she should always be proud of her ambition and for being a volleyball player.

Fahmawi advises the youth to believe in themselves, never let anything stop them from fulfilling their dreams, and always push themselves to create a better future.

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