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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.

Syria badminton
Syrian girls and women practice badminton at the gym in Afrin, a city controlled by the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) factions in northern Aleppo. — Facebook/Afrinmeclis

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, badmintontaekwondo, 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.

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