f(Zaman Al Wasl)- The Happiness voluntary team in coordiantion with the Civil Defense Directorate in opposition-held areas in central Homs province has organized the first children's Olympic Games
The event that entitled ‘Birds of Peace for Sports and Culture’ was held between 13-22 October, taking advantage of three-month-old ceasfire after amonst six yzzars of daily bombing.
Suleiman Saad al-Din, head of the Happiness volunteer team told Zaman al-Wasl, “The Olympics started from the sports stadium in al-Zafarana village under the patronage and support of the Civil Defense Directorate in Homs and in coordination with the Sports and Youth committee branch.
The event included several athletic activities for children including a marathon, football, karate, and track and field. In addition to these, the organizers set up recreational activities and competitions to bring happiness to the children and distance them from the atmosphere of war, shelling, destruction and siege.”
He added that the Olympic events were distributed among the towns of al-Zafarana, al-Ghantou, al-Dar al-Kabira and al-Rastan.
“The games were held on the occasion of World Peace Day, and our goal is to convey a message to the world about peace for Syria and its children,” he said.
Saad al-Din said, “The events of the last day were held in the city of al-Rastan and included recreational, sports and cultural activities and competitions for the participating children. An estimated 300 children participated in the final day’s events which also included a play speaking to the reality we are living.”
It must be mentioned that the Happiness team is a voluntary team based in northern Homs’ countryside. The teams work focuses on organizing recreational events and psycho-social support campaigns for children in the province who have been living through six years of war, siege, and starvation.
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