The Jordanian man of the hour is raring to go!

KUALA LUMPUR (Mageshwaran’s AsiaScope) - He was the man who gave Jordan their first moment of glory in international basketball. Two years later, when Jordan went even higher in rankings, and obviously louder in their celebration, he was however left to celebrate it only away from the scene of action.

Ayman Idais became an instant hero in Jordan, when he fired in six three-pointers in a game-haul of 20 points to lead Jordan to victory against West Asian neighbors and the more fancied Lebanon, in the bronze medal game of the 25th FIBA Asia Championship at Tianjin in 2009.

That triumph gave Jordan their first ever FIBA Asia Championship medal and put the WABA team in the 2010 FIBA World Championship.

Two years later, at the 26th FIBA Asia Championship in Wuhan last summer, when Jordan were scripting history again, this time going all the way to the gold medal game before losing to China, Idais was left back in Amman with an injured knee.

“I would have given my life to help Jordan win that game. I was jumping in my chair for every shot,” said Idais, recalling his moments of agony watching Jordan lose the gold medal game by a whisker.

“It was very frustrating that I could do nothing about it. I almost broke the television.

“Those were the worst moments in my basketball life. Having to watch your team lose so close, and yet to realise you are in a completely helpless situation to do anything about it is very frustrating for a basketball player. I couldn’t sleep for many nights after that.”

Now, back in action after recovering from a surgery to his knee, Idais is all set to spearhead Jordan come July in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Venezuela.

Jordan’s defeat in the Wuhan gold medal game, in a manner of speaking spurred Idais to work harder on his return to action.

“I realised I have a responsibility to help the team. I realised that the only thing that is stopping me from helping the team is my own fitness. So I put all plans of recovery on a fast track,” he explained.

Back in action, Idais recently averaged 18.5 points and 14.2 rebounds per game in four outings in leading Al Riyadi Aramex Amman to the quarter-finals of the WABA League.

“I have never seen him so focused and dedicated in practice. He is the hardest working player in our midst,” admired Jordanian expert Fadi Sabbah, at the helm of Aramex.

“His presence is a morale booster both on the court and off it,” said team-mate Ali Zaghab, who lined out for Jordan last summer.

“(With Ayman) I think we would have won (against China in Wuhan)."

Idais’ response to those two admirers was in line with the 2.05m center’s attitude these days.

“What’s the use of all the experience if I cannot help the team,” he said.

“I know the team needs me. And I am a lot more responsible in delivering what the team needs. I have realised I can make a contribution only by playing with responsibility.

“Of course we are very optimistic,” Idais said of Jordan’s chances in Venezuela, where Jordan aim to clinch one of three tickets available to the 2012 London Olympics.

“Who gave us a chance in Tianjin or Wuhan? We have always started as underdogs. It suits us fine for the rivals to underestimate us,” Idais pointed out.

Of course, Lebanon in 2009 and Iran in 2011 will vouch for the dangers of taking Jordan lightly.

And in Venezuela too, the others will take Jordan lightly only at their own peril.

Idais might just be the crucial link Tab Baldwin missed in Wuhan.

So long…

S Mageshwaran

FIBA Asia

FIBA’s columnists write on a wide range of topics relating to basketball that are of interest to them. The opinions they express are their own and in no way reflect those of FIBA.

FIBA takes no responsibility and gives no guarantees, warranties or representations, implied or otherwise, for the content or accuracy of the content and opinion expressed in the above article.