Syrian women and girls in Aleppo find new outlet in sports
Many young women in Afrin, northern Aleppo, which is controlled by the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) are showing great interest in sports, as opposing social customs and traditions begin to fade.
ALEPPO, Syria — Girls and women in the city of Afrin, which is controlled by the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) factions in northern Aleppo, are showing great interest in sports, such as basketball, badminton, taekwondo, and football.
The Afrin local council, whose sports office is promoting sports for men and women alike, offers five basketball teams for girls under 18, and the teams train in the gymnasium of the local council’s sports office. A basketball tournament for girls was previously held in February, and another is scheduled for the beginning of 2022.
Mazen Mahrous, the coach of Al-Sham Basketball Club for women, who resides in Afrin, told Al-Monitor, “The team is made up of 20 female basketball players, and we plan on expanding in the future.”
He added, “Many young women are interested in playing basketball, especially girls between the ages of 14 and 18," although they cannot accept all applicants.
