Turkish military invasion in northern Syria suspends sports activities in Kobani
Kobani – North-Press Agency
Fattah Issa – Fayad Muhammad
The ongoing Turkish military invasion in northern and north-eastern areas of Syria that resulted in the occupation of the Turkish military, along with its affiliated Syrian armed groups over the areas of Sere-Kaniye (Ras al-Ain) and Tal Abyad (Gre-Spi) and the accompanying Turkish threats to invade the city of Kobani, have affected the sports sector in the area.
The ongoing Turkish threats to invade Kobani has a direct impact on the sports activities in the area, as all sports teams trainings were suspended, amid attempts by supervisors of the sports teams to resume their trainings.
The impact of Turkish military attacks
In this context, the head of al-Wehda team, Nishtiman Murad, told North-Press that the Turkish attacks on northern Syria and the direct threats to invade Kobani resulted in their interruption of training during the last period. Murad said that the team has resumed its trainings, in preparation for friendly matches, indicating that 18 girls of ages between 15-20 years are training only for one day per week, since most of them are students.
Social difficulties
Murad noted that the female sports teams face some difficulties related to customs and traditions which consider sport only limited to men, pointing out that the women of the region who were able to bear arms and defend their homeland can also practice this sport.
Moreover, she confirmed that the girls have a desire to play football, noting that there are obstacles by some parents who reject the idea, where she called on parents to encourage their daughters to practice this sport and develop their talents.
Talent and skill
On the other hand, female football player, Media Bako, 17 years old, a student in the eleventh grade, explained that she started training in al-Wehda team about two months ago, because she loves football, and watches football matches with her family at home. She said that she is training with the aim of developing her talent and skills in particular, and the development of women's football in her city in general, adding that her family encourages her to develop her skills in football and achieve her dreams, pointing out that some of her friends have difficulties in practicing this activity because of the rejection of their parents.
The official responsible for team sports in the Sports Union in the city of Kobani, Mazloum Hamo, explained that there are currently three women's football teams in Kobani, the first of which was established in 2016, called the "KPC" team of the Education Authority, the second team was established in 2017 and called "Kobani Club" for women, while the third is "al-Wehda" team, which was recently established in late of 2019.
Hamo added that the stadiums affiliated with the Sports Union are open for free for women’s football teams, and the Union is working to provide training kits of balls, clothes and sports shoes for free in order to encourage women's football. She noted that the Union sometimes organizes friendly matches between the three female teams, and will work to organize tournaments and participate in others inside and outside the city in the future.