Dignity wins the Future Syria title.. Syria prepares to regain its sports status after years of sanctions

The Al-Fayhaa Stadium in the Syrian capital Damascus witnessed a strong competition on Friday, April 18, between Al-Ittihad and Al-Karama teams in the final match of the "Syria of the Future" championship. Al-Karama won the match in a penalty shootout (4-1) after a draw in regular time, amidst a large crowd and remarkable enthusiasm from the fans, especially the supporters of the winning team who came from various provinces.

A Championship with a Message

The sports competition was not the only goal of the championship; it also carried a message to FIFA to lift the ban imposed on Syrian stadiums for years due to some being turned into military barracks during the war.

Firas Tait, the official for team sports at the Syrian Ministry of Sports and Youth, emphasized that the championship represents a symbolic step to revive Syrian sports and reintegrate it into international forums, stating: "We know that lifting the ban requires significant efforts, especially with the deterioration of sports facilities, but we are working on a comprehensive project to rehabilitate them, and we hope that implementation will start soon."

The Championship Kicked Off with Four Clubs

The second edition of the championship started on Tuesday, April 15, at Al-Fayhaa Stadium in Damascus, with the participation of four Syrian clubs: Al-Karama, Al-Ittihad of Aleppo, Al-Umawiya, and Al-Wahda, as part of efforts to support the file of lifting the international ban on Syrian stadiums.

The championship is sponsored by the Ministry of Sports and Youth, the Syrian Football Association, in cooperation with the KHR Academy project and the British company Work Initiatives Ltd.

Resumption of the Premier League on May 21

The Syrian Premier League is scheduled to resume on May 21 under a new mechanism, including completing the matches of the first half of the season, with only five rounds played, along with rescheduling postponed matches.

The top four clubs will qualify for the "League of the Strong," where they will be awarded distinguishing points before the start of the final stage, in a step aimed at enhancing competition among the teams.

Looking Towards the Future

The championship, despite its sporting nature, seems to have succeeded in sending a clear message to the international community, expressing the Syrians' aspiration for life to return to their stadiums and for Syria to regain its position in international sports forums after years of absence.