War in Syria and Iraq hits sports in the region
221 Syrian athletes were killed, 360 became permanently disabled after the attacks by forces loyal to the regime.
ISTANBUL
Syria's civil war resulted in millions of people leaving their homeland and settling in neighbouring countries. Moreover hundred of thousands -- including world champions in sports -- were slaughtered.
According to the report published by Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR), 221 Syrian athletes -- including Syrian handicapped table tennis champion Abdulhakim Karqooz, world wrestling champion Subhi Saadi al-Abid, handball player Ahmed Atif er-Reca el-Mesalime, footballer Ukbe Asur -- were killed, 360 were injured in regime attacks since the conflict began in 2011.
It was also reported that six of the athletes were killed by torture. In addition, 360 athletes including world boxing champion Nasır es-Sami and Syrian chess champion, Ranya Muhammad al-Abbasi, became permanently disabled owing to torture or gunshot wounds. Moreover, 36 athletes have been detained in prisons run by the regime.
Ongoing civil war since March of 2011 hits sports competitions in the country. Athletes who were unable to train were off form. Besides most of them could not qualify for the competitions abroad.
Al-Vahdat player Ayman Ksayit, who talked to an AA correspondent, stated that in some regions sports competitions were suspended due to war, several athletes returned to their homelands and many of them went abroad.
He added that many athletes involved in the developments in Syria were obliged to retire from their professional career.
Syrian army and police have been controlling limited sports organizations. With 12 domestic league titles, most time winners in Syrian Premier League's Al-Jaish's board is composed of military men such as generals and colonels.
General Mowaffak Joumaa was a member of the Syrian Olympic Committee. During 2012 London Olympic Games, Joumaa who is close to Assad regime was not allowed to enter Britain.
A group of Syrian refugees composed of former Syrian professional footballers founded "Free Syrian National Team" in Lebanon. Syrian footballers abroad are dreaming to represent their country in international arena in case of management change in Syria.
A similar case is being witnessed in another Middle Eastern country Iraq where the war continues. Instability arising from the war makes Iraqi people less interested in sports.
In Iraq, it is very hard to find any international players for the organizations abroad since Iraq's under-21 football team -- preparing for 2014 Asian Games to be held in South Korean city Incheon starting on September 19 -- are having trouble to form their squad thus they are going to travel to South Korea with a 12-man squad.
