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Established 1961 13 Sports Wednesday, February 21, 2018 Sports academy in Egypt gives Syrian children hope Those who train the youths go unpaid ALEXANDRIA: When Amir al-Awad fled Syria for OBSTACLES ABROAD Egypt, he intended to cross the Mediterranean for a The financing came from the United Nations High European country. But instead, the boyhood Syrian Commissioner for Refugees, which provided 25 percent wrestling champion opted against the risky sea journey used to buy equipment, and the rest from the Caritas and found work at a restaurant in Alexandria, where he humanitarian group. “We prepared the training hall step was introduced to the city’s Syrian community. by step, including paint and design,” says Awad. Together they established the Syrian Sports The academy’s growing reputation in the neighbour- Academy, and he replaced his dream of an Olympic hood drove Egyptian parents to also enrol their children medal with a goal to “create champions from the young there. “We’re keen to teach the children sports ethics: to refugees” from his country, says Awad. This was “so that learn how to win and how to lose, which helps them in one day they will be able to raise their flag as we have in their life, instead of giving in to a bad lifestyle,” he says. the past after they return to Syria,” says the 34-year-old. Karima Amer, an Egyptian mother from Khaled bin al- The academy is squeezed into just 30 square metres Waleed neighbourhood, cited “discipline” as the reason (320 square feet), in a modestly equipped hall at the bot- she takes her son and daughter to the academy. She tom of a residential building praised “Captain Amir” and in the Alexandria neighbour- how he “talks with the chil- hood of Khaled bin al- dren about everything: their Waleed. Inside, Syrian chil- problems, food, and ethics”. dren aged of seven to 10 Adel Bazmawi, 21, a co- dressed in T-shirts and jeans We’re keen to founder and coach, says he form a line after arriving at transitioned from a profes- the end of a school day. “Let’s teach children sional wrestling to coaching go, guys, so you have enough martial arts after coming to ALEXANDRIA: Syrian refugee Amir al-Awad (R) watches as Adel Bazmawi (C) teaches martial arts to youth at the time to study,” Awad yells in sports ethics Egypt from Idlib in 2013. academy in Egypt’s second city of Alexandria on January 4, 2018. — AFP encouragement, as he moves “In Egypt I’m not recog- on to coaching them nised as a wrestler who can Even after receiving invitations to tournaments in Syrian shawarma at a restaurant close to the academy. wrestling. participate in international Canada and Germany in 2015, he was unable to go Those who train the youths go unpaid, something that With a small administrative office, and the lone train- competitions” given he does not carry the Egyptian because “Syrian nationality has become an obstacle to is unavoidable given that 75 percent of the children are ing hall, Syrian youngsters practise martial arts, aerobics, nationality, says Bazmawi, who was Syria’s freestyle obtaining visas to European countries.” exempt from fees. “The academy’s goal is to be develop- ballet, and gymnastics. In addition, the academy organis- wrestling champion for his age in 2006 and 2008. mental, and not to make a profit,” says Awad. es football tournaments, especially for Arab and African Now “the most I can do is to fight in local clubs,” DREAMS OF RETURNING HOME But older youths pay a “token” fee, up to 100 pounds refugees in the city. he says. On the other hand, in addition to Alexandria, There are more than 126,000 UN-registered Syrian a month, which the academy uses to pay electricity bills On its ageing walls hang pictures of international mar- he says he has become known in other cities, includ- refugees in Egypt, but the real figure is thought to be and rent, he says. As busy as they are, Awad says his tial arts and weightlifting champions. The academy’s ing the Nile Delta provincial capitals of Tanta and much higher. Bazmawi, who did not complete his studies team “aren’t able to compete in various tournaments founders began the project in 2016 with just 3,000 Kafr el-Sheikh. Still, he says “I miss international in sports education because of the devastating seven- because of their Syrian nationality,” while to participate Egyptian pounds (about $430 at the time). competitions”. year war in his homeland, helps his family to prepare they need to officially register the academy. — AFP Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber calls tennis players against Clermont Auvergne last month, Lions trio while Williams suffered an abdominal to participate in injury during the autumn campaign and has not played for Wales since Kuwait Tennis Open IX boost Wales they beat Georgia in November. The pack is unchanged and for Ireland includes No.8 Ross Moriarty, who KUWAIT: Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, President of Kuwait missed Gloucester’s Premiership Tennis Federation (KTF), announced the start of applying to play game against Worcester last week- Kuwait Tennis Open IX. The competitions start on Sunday, March 4 to 6 Nations clash end after suffering a shoulder knock. Sunday, March 18, 2018 at the Tennis Center of Kuwait Tennis “It is great to be able to bring so Federation inside Yarmouk Sports Club in Meshref. CARDIFF: Wales head coach much experience back into the start- There will be 11 events to compete: (Boys Under 11 - Boys Under Warren Gatland yesterday named ing XV and into the back-line,” said 13 Singles - Boys Under 17 Singles - Veterans Over 45 Singles - Gatland, who takes charge of Wales Sheikh Ahmad Jaber Al-Abdallah Al-Sabah. British and Irish Lions trio Dan Veterans Over 55 Singles - Veterans Over 45 Doubles - Men’s Biggar, Liam Williams and Leigh for the 100th time. Singles - Men’s Doubles - Girls Under 18 Singles - Ladies Singles - Halfpenny in his starting line-up for “It is the first week we have had Diplomats Singles). Matches start at 4:30 pm and 9:00 am on Sports Club, Meshref. the weekend’s Six Nations clash everyone in the ‘green’ in terms of Fridays and Saturdays. Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah called upon all tennis players in Kuwait against Ireland. availability, which is a nice luxury to The tournament will be open to all Kuwaitis and expatriates of of different categories and nationalities in addition to diplomats and Victory for Wales in Dublin would have and a positive ahead of what is all categories from all countries as well. Deadline for receiving veterans to participate in the tournament. end Ireland’s Grand Slam hopes and a very important Test match against a applications with a copy of Civil ID Card is at 6:00 pm on Kuwait Tennis Open IX is the biggest tennis event in the State of keep alive their own title chances, very good Ireland side. Wednesday 28 February 2018 at KTF headquarters inside Yarmouk Kuwait. More than 450 players are expected to participate. while an Irish win would increase the “We have been pleased with the likelihood of a championship show- depth we have developed in the back down against England at Twickenham three and pleased with how those Leclerc taking his place. tinue improving our performance during the on March 17. players have gone but having the Sauber launch The Monegasque is seen as a future Ferrari course of the season. “The return of Alfa Fly-half Biggar, who missed the experience of Dan, Liam and Leigh prospect and his arrival, along with the Romeo to Formula One sets another milestone opening Six Nations games against coming back in is hugely important.” steadying hand of team principal Frederic in the team’s history, and I am proud that such Scotland and England with a shoul- Ireland currently top the Six Nations catch-up car Vasseur who was appointed in July, has a historical brand has chosen us for their der injury, replaces Rhys Patchell in table on points difference from revived confidence. The new C37 car, with return to the sport.” Alfa Romeo, a brand in the number 10 shirt. Elsewhere, full- England after winning their opening after dismal 2017 prominent Alfa branding on a red and white the Fiat Chrysler (FCA) stable which is also back Halfpenny has recovered from a two games against France and Italy. livery replacing the previous blue and white, run by Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne, foot infection that ruled him out of Wales, who thumped Scotland 34- was presented on the team’s website have a long history in the sport dating back to Wales’s 12-6 defeat to England and 7 in their opening match, are third. LONDON: Sauber presented the first Formula (www.sauberf1team.com) and across social the pre-war years and the birth of the world replaces Gareth Anscombe, while fit- Wales (15-1) Leigh Halfpenny; One car of their new Alfa Romeo partnership media. championship in 1950. again Saracens wing Williams takes Liam Williams, Scott Williams, yesterday, with a flurry of preceding sponsor “The aerodynamic concept has changed The first two world championships in 1950 over from Josh Adams. Hadleigh Parkes, Steff Evans; Dan announcements pointing also to a sounder significantly, and the C37 has several new fea- and 1951 were won by Italian Giuseppe ‘Nino’ Both Patchell and Adams drop out Biggar, Gareth Davies; Ross future after a dismal 2017 season. tures in comparison to its predecessor,” said Farina and Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio in of the matchday 23, while Moriarty, Josh Navidi, Aaron The Swiss-based team finished that cam- technical director Joerg Zander.