On November 15, the Ministry of Tourism honored the delegations participating in the Tishreen (October) International Open Water Swimming Race, which will start tomorrow on Lamira Beach in Lattakia.
The Minister of Tourism Muhammad Rami Radwan Martini said that this event organized by the General Sports Federation is an indication of the return of the international championships to Syria.
Martini indicated that sports activity is an essential part of promoting tourism and it reflects at the same time the civilized image of Syria.
The Secretary of the Arab Socialist Baath Party branch in Latakia, Haitham Ismail, stated that Syria embraces athletes from eleven countries and is proving that it is able to organize international championships.
Chairman of the General Sports Federation Firas Mualla said that this is the second international sporting event after the Tishreen Paths cycle, and it is a message to the world that Syria is able to organize international tournaments and races in a civilized manner.
Nabil El-Shazly, the Egyptian world champion, expressed his great happiness at his participation in this global event, noting the warm welcome of the Syrian people.
The Syrian Olympic Swimming Committee and the Swimming Association in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism organized the 5-km race.
Forty swimmers from 11 countries will participate in the race which will start tomorrow (November 16) at 12:00 noon.
O. al-Mohammad