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| Once full of promise, Syrian football has been destroyed by civil war | Once full of promise, Syrian football has been destroyed by civil war |
| (about 2 months later) | |
| The bloody civil war in Syria, struggle for freedom and liberation away from the oppressive Assad regime has, unquestionably, changed the lives of many. | The bloody civil war in Syria, struggle for freedom and liberation away from the oppressive Assad regime has, unquestionably, changed the lives of many. |
| The conflict, with the heartbreak, devastation and division that have ensued, has also crept into sport – one of the few distractions and pleasures of many away from the suffering – dividing players, leading authorities, coaches and managers into three camps: pro-Assad, pro-democracy and neutral. Players such as Abdul Basit Saroot took off his boots to join the revolution, becoming an instant icon, while his compatriot, the Syrian international Musab Balhous – before he reverted after his release – spent time in prison accused of sheltering armed rebels and strengthening an armed organisation composed of Al-Karamah club-mates against the nation’s president, Bashar al-Assad. | The conflict, with the heartbreak, devastation and division that have ensued, has also crept into sport – one of the few distractions and pleasures of many away from the suffering – dividing players, leading authorities, coaches and managers into three camps: pro-Assad, pro-democracy and neutral. Players such as Abdul Basit Saroot took off his boots to join the revolution, becoming an instant icon, while his compatriot, the Syrian international Musab Balhous – before he reverted after his release – spent time in prison accused of sheltering armed rebels and strengthening an armed organisation composed of Al-Karamah club-mates against the nation’s president, Bashar al-Assad. |
| Others left the country either in protest or for their own safety. Firas Al-Khatib – regarded as one of the finest footballers Syria has produced – has refused to represent his national side in solidarity with those seeking freedom and liberation and now plies his trade with China’s Shanghai Shenhua. | Others left the country either in protest or for their own safety. Firas Al-Khatib – regarded as one of the finest footballers Syria has produced – has refused to represent his national side in solidarity with those seeking freedom and liberation and now plies his trade with China’s Shanghai Shenhua. |
| “There are players who have refused to represent the national team for the time being because they believe they represent a certain side,” states Tareq Hindawi, who plays for Al-Ittihad and is captain of Syria’s under-20 national team. “But I disagree with their position. We represent our flag and our allegiance is towards this country. We play to carve a smile on to the lips of every Syrian supporter.” | |
| Before the civil war Syrian football was experiencing a bright and prosperous period highlighted by the fine campaign Al-Karamah, based in the city of Homs, had in the Asian Champions League when they reached the final of the competition in 2006. It was the furthest any Syrian side has progressed in Asia’s biggest club tournament, thanks largely to their strong home record at the iconic Khalid bin Walid Stadium, a base for Syrian resistance, where they seemed almost unbeatable. They finally succumbed to the South Korean side Jeonbuk Motors – but that does not blight or blemish their astonishing campaign against all odds. | Before the civil war Syrian football was experiencing a bright and prosperous period highlighted by the fine campaign Al-Karamah, based in the city of Homs, had in the Asian Champions League when they reached the final of the competition in 2006. It was the furthest any Syrian side has progressed in Asia’s biggest club tournament, thanks largely to their strong home record at the iconic Khalid bin Walid Stadium, a base for Syrian resistance, where they seemed almost unbeatable. They finally succumbed to the South Korean side Jeonbuk Motors – but that does not blight or blemish their astonishing campaign against all odds. |
| The brilliant run did not end there as the national team also managed to pull off qualification for the 2011 Asian Cup tournament, their first in 15 years, after finishing as group leaders ahead of China. Unfortunately for the Eagles of Qasioun, they were given a tough and awkward group alongside the former champions Japan and Saudi Arabia and packed their bags early but with their heads held high. | The brilliant run did not end there as the national team also managed to pull off qualification for the 2011 Asian Cup tournament, their first in 15 years, after finishing as group leaders ahead of China. Unfortunately for the Eagles of Qasioun, they were given a tough and awkward group alongside the former champions Japan and Saudi Arabia and packed their bags early but with their heads held high. |
| This upturn in fortunes reflected well on their managers, particularly Nizar Mahrous, who has since led the recently established Shabab Al-Ordun to historic domestic and continental glory during his successful three-year stint with the club, and Maher Bahri, who managed Al Ahli back to Jordan’s Premier Division for the first time in three seasons since their disappointing withdrawal back in 2010-2011. | This upturn in fortunes reflected well on their managers, particularly Nizar Mahrous, who has since led the recently established Shabab Al-Ordun to historic domestic and continental glory during his successful three-year stint with the club, and Maher Bahri, who managed Al Ahli back to Jordan’s Premier Division for the first time in three seasons since their disappointing withdrawal back in 2010-2011. |
| “Of course, the status of Syrian football was going to a better and brighter tomorrow in light of players plying their trade outside of the country,” Bahri said. “The performances of Al-Karamah, Al-Jaish and Al-Wahda in the Asian Champions League and Asian Cup respectively prove that – as well as the increased following of Syrian football throughout every province in the country” | “Of course, the status of Syrian football was going to a better and brighter tomorrow in light of players plying their trade outside of the country,” Bahri said. “The performances of Al-Karamah, Al-Jaish and Al-Wahda in the Asian Champions League and Asian Cup respectively prove that – as well as the increased following of Syrian football throughout every province in the country” |
| Only a few months after the national side’s participation in the Asian Cup, however, the prospects for Syrian football took an unanticipated turn. As the Arab Spring continued to sweep across the region, thousands of Syrians marched on the streets of Daraa, demanding reform and democratic changes. | Only a few months after the national side’s participation in the Asian Cup, however, the prospects for Syrian football took an unanticipated turn. As the Arab Spring continued to sweep across the region, thousands of Syrians marched on the streets of Daraa, demanding reform and democratic changes. |
| Some players left for their safety – managers as well. Clubs have toiled financially – even struggling to pay their players’ wages – sporting facilities have suffered damage from the fighting, matches have been postponed, the entire 2010-2011 season was called off, match attendances have shrunk and those involved within the sport, such as Al-Wathbah’s Youssef Sleiman, lost their lives. | Some players left for their safety – managers as well. Clubs have toiled financially – even struggling to pay their players’ wages – sporting facilities have suffered damage from the fighting, matches have been postponed, the entire 2010-2011 season was called off, match attendances have shrunk and those involved within the sport, such as Al-Wathbah’s Youssef Sleiman, lost their lives. |
| “Syrian football is in an unimaginable situation,” Omar Abdulrazaq, a player who plies his trade in Jordan, says. “The league is very weak, a good number of players have left the country and the domestic matches are currently held in very difficult conditions. When you watch what’s happening in Syria on a daily basis, it’s natural to feel sad.” | “Syrian football is in an unimaginable situation,” Omar Abdulrazaq, a player who plies his trade in Jordan, says. “The league is very weak, a good number of players have left the country and the domestic matches are currently held in very difficult conditions. When you watch what’s happening in Syria on a daily basis, it’s natural to feel sad.” |
| Mohammed Muselmani, a player who left Syria after the civil war broke out and is currently trying to find a club in neighboring Lebanon, says: “It is all politics, it doesn’t feel like football any more. The opposition wants to create a separate national side, while pro-Assadists want to maintain the same order and system. Many players have left the country and now the national side consists of players from the country’s youth teams.” | Mohammed Muselmani, a player who left Syria after the civil war broke out and is currently trying to find a club in neighboring Lebanon, says: “It is all politics, it doesn’t feel like football any more. The opposition wants to create a separate national side, while pro-Assadists want to maintain the same order and system. Many players have left the country and now the national side consists of players from the country’s youth teams.” |
| Despite the unbearable situation, the Syrian Arab Federation for Football has reinstalled the domestic league, which runs under a new system, with 16 teams divided into two groups and the top four from each group qualifying for the final stage. Al-Ittihad and Al-Karamah, two of Syria’s best clubs who hail from two of the most beleaguered cities, Aleppo and Homs, have struggled to cope under such fraught circumstances, while stadiums such as Al-Hamadaniah in Aleppo – sometimes used by Al-Ittihad – and Latakia stadium have been utilised as military bases and detention centres by Assad’s forces. | Despite the unbearable situation, the Syrian Arab Federation for Football has reinstalled the domestic league, which runs under a new system, with 16 teams divided into two groups and the top four from each group qualifying for the final stage. Al-Ittihad and Al-Karamah, two of Syria’s best clubs who hail from two of the most beleaguered cities, Aleppo and Homs, have struggled to cope under such fraught circumstances, while stadiums such as Al-Hamadaniah in Aleppo – sometimes used by Al-Ittihad – and Latakia stadium have been utilised as military bases and detention centres by Assad’s forces. |
| Al-Karamah, who won the league four seasons in succession, from 2006-2009, are a shadow of their former dominant selves and have been forced – until very recently – to play away from home because of the conditions in Homs, while Al-Ittihad have been relying on their third-string side as a result of the departure of so many first-choice players. | Al-Karamah, who won the league four seasons in succession, from 2006-2009, are a shadow of their former dominant selves and have been forced – until very recently – to play away from home because of the conditions in Homs, while Al-Ittihad have been relying on their third-string side as a result of the departure of so many first-choice players. |
| Clubs hailing from Damascus have taken full advantage of their rivals’ struggles amid the constant shelling and destruction of their cities, gaining the upper hand in the league, with Al-Shorta and Al-Jaish winning the last two titles since the league was restarted. | Clubs hailing from Damascus have taken full advantage of their rivals’ struggles amid the constant shelling and destruction of their cities, gaining the upper hand in the league, with Al-Shorta and Al-Jaish winning the last two titles since the league was restarted. |
| “As a sportsman I struggle and suffer just like the rest of the Syrian people who have become weary with the war,” Saif al-Haji, an unattached footballer in Syria, says. “The living situation is extremely difficult, especially monetarily and financially. I have received many offers to leave and play abroad but since I have never served in the military I can’t receive a passport.” | “As a sportsman I struggle and suffer just like the rest of the Syrian people who have become weary with the war,” Saif al-Haji, an unattached footballer in Syria, says. “The living situation is extremely difficult, especially monetarily and financially. I have received many offers to leave and play abroad but since I have never served in the military I can’t receive a passport.” |
| According to the Syrian football expert Mohammed Nasser, there are more than 200 players who have left the country, with the most popular destination being Iraq. Among the 25 players representing the national side in the last tournament, only three of them reside in Syria. | According to the Syrian football expert Mohammed Nasser, there are more than 200 players who have left the country, with the most popular destination being Iraq. Among the 25 players representing the national side in the last tournament, only three of them reside in Syria. |
| “During the first year of the revolution the sport went into a bit of decline amid the destruction caused by opposition forces. By its second year, though, we Syrian people have adapted to the ongoing events and circumstances,” Nasser said. “The league has once again resumed and we try to bring in as many supporters to the stadiums as possible because sport is the only thing that lightens the hearts amid this crisis.” | “During the first year of the revolution the sport went into a bit of decline amid the destruction caused by opposition forces. By its second year, though, we Syrian people have adapted to the ongoing events and circumstances,” Nasser said. “The league has once again resumed and we try to bring in as many supporters to the stadiums as possible because sport is the only thing that lightens the hearts amid this crisis.” |
| Despite the daily struggles Syria’s national side and domestic teams have still exceeded expectations in the continental arena, winning the 2012 West Asian Cup. For all those performances, however, no amount of sport can distract or alter the grim reality of everyday life. The resumption of football: the goals and entertainment it provides rings hollow to the more than 150,000 lives lost as a result of this bloody conflict. | Despite the daily struggles Syria’s national side and domestic teams have still exceeded expectations in the continental arena, winning the 2012 West Asian Cup. For all those performances, however, no amount of sport can distract or alter the grim reality of everyday life. The resumption of football: the goals and entertainment it provides rings hollow to the more than 150,000 lives lost as a result of this bloody conflict. |
| “The regime’s persistence on resuming sporting activities is an irresponsible decision in light of the risks and dangers athletes could potentially face,” says Yasser al-Hallaq, the executive director of Athletes for Syria. “This decision only validates the notion that the ruling regime wants to show the public that life is normal, which is absolutely not the case at all.” | “The regime’s persistence on resuming sporting activities is an irresponsible decision in light of the risks and dangers athletes could potentially face,” says Yasser al-Hallaq, the executive director of Athletes for Syria. “This decision only validates the notion that the ruling regime wants to show the public that life is normal, which is absolutely not the case at all.” |