Syria Violence Claims Athletes; No Taliban Threat in Afghanistan

More than 100 athletes and coaches have died in the Syrian civil war, according to the president of the Syrian Olympic Committee.

Mowaffak Joumaa, SOC president, made the comments at last week’s Olympic Council of Asia meeting in Manila.

He said that "many things are difficult for us".

Joumaa said around 117 athletes and officials have died in the war.

"We don’t wish for that to happen."

Around the Rings also understands that a brother of Joumaa also died recently.

"Many clubs’ halls and stadiums have been damaged," he added.

Among the other difficulties for Syrians, he said, is that there are no more invitations for athletes to train overseas. He also pointed out that the travel embargo has made it difficult to travel. Syrians now have to travel to Dubai or Lebanon before being able to travel internationally.

Despite the challenges, the SOC is coping. A team of 52 Syrians went to last year’s Islamic Solidarity Games, one of four Games the SOC sent athletes to. Additionally, a sports festival for Syrian athletes will take place later this year.

Taliban No Threat to Afghan Sports

While the Taliban has waged war on seemingly every part of life in Afghanistan, the organization has not targeted sports.

According to a spokesman for Mohammad Azhir Aghbar, president of the Afghanistan National Olympic Committee, the Taliban enjoys the success of Afghanistan’s athletes.

"Everyone loves their athletes, their teams, and their sports," he said.

"Sport is an ambassador of peace," the spokesman added. "We can bring peace to Afghanistan through sport, that’s the good message from our athletes."

With disorganization running rampant in Afghanistan, the Afghan NOC said "we are doing very well."

Rohullah Nikpai won a bronze medal at the London Olympics, the cricket team qualified for the Cricket World Cup, FIFA awarded the 2013 Fair Play Award to the Afghanistan Football Federation and the NOC is building training facilities throughout the country.

"That’s a good step for Afghanistan, to build Afghanistan better and peaceful."

North Korean/South Korean Spat

Tensions from North Korea toward journalists from South Korea and the United States were evident at the OCA meeting.

This reporter and a reporter from South Korea’s JoongAng Sunday attempted to interview North Korea’s Olympic leaders.

After multiple attempts to speak with them, one leader turned to the South Korean reporter and said, "You lack morality! Morality!"

He added they were trying to go to lunch, not answer questions.

Written by Ed Hula III.

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