MINSK, 16 April (BelTA) – Syria hopes to bolster ties with Belarus in sports, Charge d’Affaires of Syria to Belarus Mohamed Yahya said as he met with Belarus’ Sport and Tourism Minister Sergei Kovalchuk on 16 April, BelTA learned from the press service of the ministry.
The parties plan to sign a corresponding agreement and a plan of action for two years. Sergei Kovalchuk said that Belarus is ready to continue to assist Syria in training athletes, including young ones. “All sports facilities in Belarus are at the service of Syrian athletes. Our specialists can arrange training seminars and workshops,” the minister said.
According to Deputy Chairperson of the General Sports Federation of Syria Ibrahim Abbasid, the National State School of Olympic Reserve provides excellent conditions for young athletes. He thanked Belarus for cordiality, hospitality, and readiness to help. He also added that when Syrian children return home from Belarus they speak about the country and its people with great love.
Some 43 young athletes from Syria have come to Minsk for training camps in tennis, basketball, chess, artistic gymnastics, swimming, and table tennis. The program of the visit includes tours of Minsk sports facilities, master classes from Belarusian athletes and coaches, matches against students of the National State School of Olympic Reserve, excursions around the Belarusian capital, trips to Mir and Nesvizh to see the castles and to the Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park.
The young Syrian athletes will stay in Belarus through 23 April.