STORY: Gazans take advantage of water sports to deal with psychological problems
DATELINE: Aug. 14, 2023
LENGTH: 00:03:25
LOCATION: GAZA, Palestine
CATEGORY: HEALTH/SPORTS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of children playing water sports on beach
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): SAMIR SAADY, Student
3. various of Palestinians swimming in a local pool
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): NIZAR SAHWIL, Local resident
5. various of Palestinians swimming in a local pool
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): HAZEM ABU TALIB, Swimming coach

STORYLINE:

Tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza rushed to join water sports to escape from summer heat waves.

For some, it is also a way to relieve their stress.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): SAMIR SAADY, Student
"I chose to play water games, because it increases my positive energy and because it is a vital sport and allows me to meet new friends. In addition, water sports increase my physical fitness."

"Practicing water sports helps me to recharge my internal energy and be a healthy person," said the 10-year-old, adding that "I can get rid of all my psychological issues resulting from the instability situation in Gaza, mainly the military conflict between Israeli and armed factions."

Despite the fact that Gazans have survived dangerous military escalations between the armed Palestinian factions and Israel, their souls still suffer from the consequences of each war, according to Sami Owaida, a local psychiatrist and the head of the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme (GCMHP).

As a result, more than half of Gaza's youngsters could be in need of psychological support after each Israeli attack, Owaida told Xinhua.

What makes the matter worse for locals is Gaza's lack of proper psychological care, said Owaida.

He believes that practicing water sports and other physical activities could help to some degree.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): NIZAR SAHWIL, Local resident
"The Prophet Mohammed recommended us to practice three sports: horse riding, swimming and archery. I am currently practicing swimming because it helps us get rid of the psychological pressures that we suffer from, as through swimming we completely empty the negative energy."

"This year, we have received more than 20,000 applications from locals who would like to join our summer camp that trains children in various kinds of water sports," said Hazem Abu Talib, a Gaza-based swimming coach.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): HAZEM ABU TALIB, Swimming coach
"During the summer, many local residents, whether children, youth or women, come to the swimming pool to practice swimming for its physical and psychological benefits."

The 38-year-old coach says military tensions forced children to become more nervous than before, and also tend to be introverted.

So many parents in Gaza encourage their children to practice water sports to help them get rid of fears and interact with others.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Gaza.
(XHTV)