Syria Concludes National Youth Athletics Championship in Damascus
The Syrian Athletics Federation has concluded the National Youth Athletics Championship in Damascus. Held under the theme “Today’s Talents, Tomorrow’s Champions,” the event featured a standout performance by more than 150 young athletes representing a majority of Syrian provinces.
In the final general rankings, Latakia province secured the top spot, followed by Rif Dimashq in second place, and the Army team in third. In the female team competitions, Homs province took first place, with Latakia in second and the Army in third. The male team category saw Deir ez-Zor claim the championship title, followed by Latakia in second place and Damascus in third.
Nawal Zioud, a member of the Athletics Federation and director of the championship, stated that the event is part of the federation’s annual calendar. She emphasized that the primary focus is on younger age groups, who represent the core of Syria’s future in sports. According to Zioud, the strategic objective of the tournament is to identify exceptional talent and integrate these athletes into continuous training and competitive programs. This initiative is designed to refine their technical skills and ensure that national teams are regularly replenished with new, capable talent ready to represent Syria in upcoming regional and international competitions.
Mohammad Bureij, coach of the Syrian national athletics team, noted the high level of competition and the enthusiasm displayed by the participants. He remarked that the performance of the young athletes indicates high levels of physical and technical readiness. Bureij added that this standard provides positive indicators for building a new generation of athletes capable of competing and achieving advanced results in future Arab and Asian championships.
From an organizational perspective, Ibrahim Ibrahim, head of the referees committee, highlighted that the success of the championship relied significantly on the officiating staff. He noted that 54 referees were assigned and distributed across all events to ensure the competition proceeded with accuracy and integrity.
Participant Abdullah Al-Hiji, who won gold medals in both the 100-meter and 200-meter hurdles, expressed pride in his achievement. He emphasized that his primary goal is to reach the national team ranks to represent Syria and raise its flag at international sporting events.
This activity is part of a broader strategy by the Syrian General Sports Federation to rebuild the country’s sports foundation. By identifying young talent across various provinces, the federation intends to move these athletes into intensive training camps to prepare them for external participation, thereby contributing to the development of Syrian athletics and strengthening its presence at both regional and international levels.
