• Saviola launches major sports initiative in Jordan under “EIRS” Academy
• Talent challenge targets young players (born 2013–2015) for international exposure

Argentine star Javier Saviola began his visit to Jordan with a private tour of the ancient city of Petra, ahead of the launch of the “Saviola Challenge” aimed at discovering emerging football talent.

He was accompanied on the tour by former Real Madrid defender Michel Salgado and ex-Jordan national team captain Baha Abdel-Rahman, in an initiative highlighting the link between sports and promoting tourism in Jordan through international sporting events.

Saviola’s visit marks the launch of a major sporting project organized by the “EIRS” Academy.

The challenge focuses on identifying young talents born in 2013, 2014, and 2015, with the aim of selecting an elite group to form a team that will represent Jordan in a major international tournament to be held in Spain—offering young players early exposure to global competition.

Organizers have developed a nationwide scouting roadmap to reach talent across the Kingdom, with trials held across seven key governorates.

Selections were distributed across the northern region in Irbid, the central region in Amman and Zarqa, and the southern region covering Karak, Tafila, Ma’an, and Aqaba. These stages serve as initial screenings ahead of the final selection phase.

In the final stage, Saviola—former Barcelona and Real Madrid star—will personally oversee the selection of the final squad.

This initiative aims to ensure professional scouting standards, placing promising players on a genuine pathway toward stardom under the observation of international scouts, strengthening Jordan’s youth football structure and feeding national teams with new talent experienced in international competition.