STORY: Syrian athletes carry message of peace, hope at Hangzhou Asian Games: Syrian delegation head
DATELINE: Sept. 21, 2023
LENGTH: 00:03:05
LOCATION: Damascus
CATEGORY: SPORTS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Syrian boxers
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): OMAR AL-ARROUB, Syrian Olympic Delegation leader
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): OMAR AL-ARROUB, Syrian Olympic Delegation leader
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): AHMAD GHASSOUN, Boxer
5. SOUNDBITE 4 (Arabic): MOHAMMED MALIS, Boxer
6. SOUNDBITE 5 (Arabic): MOHAMMAD GHASSOUN, Coach of the Syrian national boxing team
7. various of Syrian weightlifters and wrestlers
8. various of Syrian boxers

STORYLINE:

Syrian delegation is gearing up for the 19th Asian Games set to open in east China's Hangzhou on Saturday. 

The head of the delegation Omar al-Aroub said the Syrian team would convey a message of love and peace during the Games.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): OMAR AL-ARROUB, Syrian Olympic Delegation leader
"Our message is a message of love and peace to all the people of Asia and the world. A message of competition, a message of participation, a message of peace. We also have a message as Syrians: Lift the siege on Syria, lift the sanctions on Syria. This is the most important message for us because it directly affects sports in Syria and the entire Syrian people."

The delegation head said the Games to be held in China give them more momentum and motivation.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): OMAR AL-ARROUB, Syrian Olympic Delegation leader
"This edition is even more significant because it takes place in China, a country with which Syria, both the government and its people, have strong relations. China has been supportive of us in various ways, including during the earthquake that struck Syria, or previous crises, where they were among the first to offer assistance, which gave us more momentum and motivation to participate in this sporting event."

Syrian athletes have also expressed their aspirations and determination.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): AHMAD GHASSOUN, Boxer
"We are going to participate in the Asian Games in China to proudly raise the Syrian flag. The Asian Games, which will be held in Hangzhou, China, are of utmost importance because they serve as qualifications for the Paris Olympics. To qualify for the Olympics, we need to win a gold or silver medal. We will give our best effort to lift the Syrian flag high."

SOUNDBITE 4 (Arabic): MOHAMMED MALIS, Boxer
"Our goal is to achieve a medal in this prestigious event at the Asian Games and qualify through this stage for the Paris Olympics, proudly raising the Syrian flag in the skies of Asian championships."

SOUNDBITE 5 (Arabic): MOHAMMAD GHASSOUN, Coach of the Syrian national boxing team
"The Asian Games are considered one of the important Olympic events that take place once every four years. Syria won two gold medals in boxing twice in the Asian Games, once in 1991 by Mayez Khanji, and another one in 2010 by me. We will renew that victory through our champs in the upcoming event in China."

Syria's General Sports Union issued a statement on Monday, confirming Syria's participation in the 19th Asian Games. Syrian athletes will compete in five sports: equestrian, weightlifting, boxing, wrestling and athletics.

This marks Syria's 11th appearance in the Asian Games, with the most recent participation being in the 18th Asian Games in Indonesia in 2018 when Majd Ghazal secured a bronze medal in the high jump competition.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Damascus.
(XHTV)