JOR - Palma to coach Jordan national team

AMMAN (National Team) - Former Angola coach Mario Palma has been handed the reins to Jordan's national team.

Palma, who led the Angolans to gold at last year's Africa Championship, was not retained as their coach for this year's FIBA World Championship and Jordan have moved quickly to put him in charge. Portuguese boss Palma told PA Sport his aim is "to qualify the country for the next Olympics", with those Games to be staged in Beijing in 2008.

Palma, who is also expected to coach a club side in Jordan, will lead the national side at this year's Asian Games. Jordan's expectations with be high because of Palma's track record.

He steered Angola to successful qualifications for the Sydney and Athens Olympics. Palma also engineered runs to the FIBA World Championship in 2002, and 2006.

His Angola sides were champions of Africa in 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2005. As the boss of De Agosto Luanda in Angola's top flight, he led his teams to league titles in the 2002-2003, 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 campaigns. Palma's team also won the Angola Cup in 2005.

Before Palma takes over, Maz Trakh will serve as care taker coach and will lead the side in the Stankovic Cup, which is to be played in Syria from July 21.

By Mohammed Issam Malas

FIBA Official Correspondent, Jordan