٠٠:٠٤:٥٧Damascus hosted Syria's first international sporting match in at least a decade on Monday, as the national basketball team took on Kazakhstan for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Asian qualifiers.
Al-Fayhaa Sports City stadium - which can accommodate up to 8,000 people - was packed with fans excited to see their team play for the first time since the civil war broke out in March 2011.
"Today is not just a match, it is a message to us, Syrians, that we are back to compete in our home after 12 years and, God willing, Syria will win, the fans will not leave until they are happy," shared Ibrahim Merashli, one of the fans.
Head of the match Anwar AbdulHay meanwhile said, "it is a new beginning and a new and important message from Syria and Syrians to the world that Syria is strong and will continue to be strong."
Syria lost the match 81-71.
Syria: Damascus hosts 1st international sporting event since conflict broke out
Damascus hosted Syria's first international sporting match in at least a decade on Monday, as the national basketball team took on Kazakhstan for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Asian qualifiers.
Al-Fayhaa Sports City stadium - which can accommodate up to 8,000 people - was packed with fans excited to see their team play for the first time since the civil war broke out in March 2011.
"Today is not just a match, it is a message to us, Syrians, that we are back to compete in our home after 12 years and, God willing, Syria will win, the fans will not leave until they are happy," shared Ibrahim Merashli, one of the fans.
Head of the match Anwar AbdulHay meanwhile said, "it is a new beginning and a new and important message from Syria and Syrians to the world that Syria is strong and will continue to be strong."
Syria lost the match 81-71.
Damascus hosted Syria's first international sporting match in at least a decade on Monday, as the national basketball team took on Kazakhstan for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Asian qualifiers.
Al-Fayhaa Sports City stadium - which can accommodate up to 8,000 people - was packed with fans excited to see their team play for the first time since the civil war broke out in March 2011.
"Today is not just a match, it is a message to us, Syrians, that we are back to compete in our home after 12 years and, God willing, Syria will win, the fans will not leave until they are happy," shared Ibrahim Merashli, one of the fans.
Head of the match Anwar AbdulHay meanwhile said, "it is a new beginning and a new and important message from Syria and Syrians to the world that Syria is strong and will continue to be strong."
Syria lost the match 81-71.