WEST BANK: A marathon is the highlight of three days of various athletics events dubbed 'Day for Sport' across the West Bank

Record ID: 564762

  • Title: WEST BANK: A marathon is the highlight of three days of various athletics events dubbed 'Day for Sport' across the West Bank
  • Date: 18th November 2013
  • Summary: RAMALLAH, WEST BANK (NOVEMBER 14, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF YOUTH RUNNING ALONG STREET MARKING THE PALESTINIAN DAY OF SPORT PEOPLE CHEERING FOR RUNNERS VARIOUS OF RUNNERS MORE OF PEOPLE CHEERING AL-RAM, WEST BANK (NOVEMBER 14, 2013) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) OMRAN HIJAZI, RUNNER, SAYING: "The marathon expresses the freedom. We started from Al-Mukataa (Palestinian Presidential compound) to Fisal Al-Hussiani stadium. We hope that the prisoners and those who struggle will get their freedom." RUNNERS RUN NEAR THE WEST BANK BARRIER TAPE AT THE FINISH LINE RUNNERS RECEIVING MEDALS AT THE FINISH LINE VARIOUS OF GIRLS GIVING RUNNERS MEDALS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) YASSER BSHARAT, RUNNER, SAYING: "We participated in it in support of the prisoners who are in jails and it was a successful marathon." SECURITY MAN DIRECTING RUNNERS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) BADER MAKI, SPOKESPERSON OF THE PALESTINIAN OLYMPIC UNION, SAYING: "There were around 6,000 participants from all over the West Bank and Jerusalem. The festival will include many shows, folkloric ones, all the sport unions are participating." YOUTHS CHANTING AT STADIUM VARIOUS OF GIRLS CHEERING
  • Embargoed: 3rd December 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: West bank
  • City:
  • Country: Palestinian Territories
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVABK78AMEDU0UKMI1MBN8J0W7CP
  • Story Text: Thousands of Palestinian athletes took part in a "Day for Sport" in the town of Ramallah, on Thursday (November 14).
    The event began with a marathon from the presidential compound (Al- Mukataa) in Ramallah, ending in Faisal Al-Husseini Stadium in the town of Al-Ram, north of Jerusalem.
    The spokesman of the Palestinian Olympic union said thousands of athletes participated in the event.

    "There were around 6,000 participants from all over the West Bank and Jerusalem. The festival will include many shows, folkloric ones, all the sport unions are participating," said Bader Maki.
    The runners were cheered on by school students who splashed water over them to cool them off in the November sun. Students whistled and waved the Palestinian flag, encouraging the participants as they ran past.

    "The marathon expresses the freedom, we started from Al-Mukataa (presidential compound) to Fisal Al-Hussiani stadium. We hope that the prisoners and those who struggle will get their freedom," said participant Omran Hijazi.
    On the busy roads to Al-Ram, part of the route had to go along Israel's security barrier, the concrete wall that splits the town where the marathon ended.
    Young drummers were waiting to welcome the runners at the main road to the stadium.

    "We participated in it in support of the prisoners who are in jails and it was a successful marathon," said Yasser Bsharat, a young runner from Ramallah, in the festive atmosphere.
    The runners were greeted with medals at the finishing line by Palestinian women dressed in traditional clothing.
    Just before entering the stadium, Palestinian school students chanted and welcomed the runners with flags and balloons as they arrived.
    The marathon was the highlight of a three-day event including several displays of athletic accomplishment from November 12-14.
    jrs/jrc
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