Champion of Arab Reading Challenge Sham Al-Bakour given a hero’s welcome at Damascus Airport
Sham Al-Bakour, the 7-year-old Syrian girl, who won the title of the Champion of the 6th session of the Arab Reading Challenge (ARC) held in Dubai, UAE, arrived yesterday at Damascus International Airport where she received an exceptional welcome by her fans.
Sham was crowned Arab Reading Champion during the closing ceremony of the challenge in which Syria took part for the first time. She competed with 18 other participants representing 18 Arab countries.
“I am so proud to represent Syria in the Arab Reading Challenge and raise the flag of my country high. I am so happy to rank first among all the other participating reading heroes. I dedicate my achievement to my homeland, the leader of the homeland President Bashar Al-Assad and to my family,” Sham told reporters upon her arrival in Damascus.
On her part, Sham’s mother said that I congratulate myself and all Syria on this success. Sham raised Syria’s flag high in the country’s first participation in this challenge. This is a great pride for her family and country and it is very good for her future.”
A number of students, who won the first nine positions in the reading challenge at Syria’s level and accompanied Sham to the UAE, said that they are so proud of Sham and that they aspire to excel in their studies to achieve their dreams, indicating that the challenge they experienced enhances interest in reading and builds a creative educated generation.
They affirmed that Sham’s victory is a victory for them and for Syria and that they looked forward to raising Syria’s flag in front of all the participating countries, pointing out that Syria has many talented and creative persons who can represent it abroad the best way.
Hamda Mustafa