The organizing committee of the Peace and Spring Marathon held a press conference on Thursday in the town of Afrin in Aleppo countryside, discussing the race’s identity, participating and supporting entities, organizational rules, arbitration, and safety and security procedures.
Attended by Vice Presidents of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Abdul Majeed Barakat and Abdul Hakim Bashar, political committee member Abdullah Kaddo, Deputy Head of the Local Council in Afrin, Muhammad Rashid, along with prominent Syrian athletes, representatives of the Syrian Women’s Authority, and representatives of Youth and community federations and associations.
The press conference began with a welcome speech from Barakat, who announced the marathon’s name for the current session as “Major General Muhammad Al-Fares’ marathon” in honor of his role and steadfast positions in the Syrian revolution. Barakat emphasized the importance of reviving sports activities in liberated areas, investing in youth energies, and spreading the message of love and peace.
Head of the Syrian National Olympic Committee and organizing committee member, Ahmed Al-Ali, highlighted Afrin’s selection as the marathon’s venue, symbolizing the race’s message of establishing love and peace and reflecting the stability in liberated areas. Al-Ali mentioned communication with over 46 international sporting bodies to introduce the marathon and make it an annual event aiming for sport to contribute to peacemaking in the region.
Organizing committee member, Raed Melhem, provided an overview of the race’s details, rules, and organizational matters, stressing the marathon’s message of being freedom seekers and peacemakers.
Director of Public Relations at the Revolutionary Syrian Youth Association and organizing committee member, Bassam Rahim, explained the Association’s role in contributing to organizing the marathon and encouraging youth participation, aiming to promote cooperation, peace, and freedom values in Syrian society.
Rahim highlighted the Association’s efforts in ensuring the marathon’s success and expressed hopes for it to be a distinguished model for promoting cooperation, peace, and freedom.
The press conference featured a photo exhibition showcasing former athletes subjected to crimes by Assad’s forces and Syrian athletes advocating the message of the revolution through sports activities.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
