Sports renaissance after " July 19thRevolution"

The Ba'ath regime remained in power in Syria for more than six decades. Throughout this period, Kurds were deprived of their identity, while discriminatory policies prevented their development in sports. The regime not only marginalized them but also forcibly closed every avenue that could have enabled them to advance in this field.

With the outbreak of the July 19 Revolution in Kobanê in 2012, new horizons opened for the Kurdish people in sports, as in many other sectors.

Following the revolution, sports became a platform for the development of youth, women, and society as a whole, as well as a means of strengthening participation and social solidarity.

Establishment of the sports committee

After the July 19th Revolution of 2012, the sports sector entered a new phase under the leadership of the Youth Movement. The Sports Committee was established by a decision of the Youth and Sports Council of the Autonomous Administration. Initially, committees were formed in al-Jazira Canton.

The committee's main objectives were:

Rebuilding sports infrastructure.

Renovating stadiums and sports halls damaged by the war.

Organizing sports activities in cities and towns.

Holding tournaments and competitions.

Increasing youth participation in sports activities.

As part of these efforts, offices were opened in cities and towns to register athletes, while the management of sports facilities was reorganized and placed under the Youth and Sports Council.

Sports continued despite the war

In North and East Syria, sports activities continued despite the difficult conditions of war. This was particularly evident in Qamishlo, where sports were regarded as a means of alleviating the psychological effects of war and strengthening social cohesion.

During this period:

Local and regional tournaments were organized.

Athletes and coaches continued training and mentoring young people.

Greater attention was given to sports in schools.

Efforts focused on protecting children and youth from the negative impacts of war.

Sports were emphasized as a tool for promoting unity and social cohesion.

Establishment of al-Jazira Sports Union

The Jazira Sports Union was the first official sports institution established under the Autonomous Administration, with its headquarters in Qamishlo.

In 2015, the establishment of the Union marked a major step toward organizing sports activities and regulating the affairs of sports clubs.

During the first phase, seven clubs received official licenses:

• Beroj Club
• Roj Club
• Ava Club
• Al-Jazira Club
• Al-Shabab Club
• Remilan Club
• Jovan Amuda Club

Over time, the number of clubs continued to grow, reaching 14 in 2017 and 22 by 2019.

The number of officially licensed athletes also exceeded 2,000 before rising to 5,000, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the region's sporting history.

Under the Autonomous Administration, development was not limited to increasing the number of clubs. A new approach to sports also emerged, characterized by:

Establishing new sports clubs.

Forming representative teams.

Creating sports federations and technical committees.

Organizing regular championships.

Promoting sports across all segments of society.

A New era for women's sports

During Ba'ath Party rule, Kurdish women athletes were not officially recognized, leaving them with very limited opportunities for development.

Beginning in 2014, women's sports experienced significant progress through:

The establishment of women's sports councils.

The launch of training and qualification programs.

The formation of committees for both team and individual sports.

Projects aimed at increasing women's participation in sports.

Strengthening the role of women in society through sports.

Establishment of Women's Sports Clubs

During the Autonomous Administration, sports clubs dedicated to women began to emerge. The first included:

Qamishlo Club

Internal Security Forces Club (later renamed Al-Hilal Club)

Ahli Amuda Club

Initially, football was the most popular sport among women. Over time, however, female athletes expanded their participation across different age groups and sporting disciplines.

Despite numerous challenges, women's teams took part in Syrian championships, competing under the names of their officially licensed clubs.

During the early years, athletes in North and East Syria continued training with extremely limited resources. The main challenges they faced included:

A shortage of training halls.

Limited sports equipment.

The absence of training and development centers.

Lack of international support.

Limited financial resources.

Despite these obstacles, athletes from the region represented North and East Syria in numerous competitions.

Development of Volleyball

With the reorganization of the sports sector, volleyball became one of the fastest-growing sports in the region. By 2017, 22 clubs were actively participating in the sport.

Each club included around 30 players, in addition to six coaches, assistant coaches, and administrators.

Regular league competitions were established among the clubs, which were later divided into First and Second Divisions.

During this period, referee training courses were organized, referees were classified into two categories, and coaches began receiving official accreditation from the Sports Union and its technical committees.

Competitions were held in major cities including Tirbespiyê, Amuda,Remailan, Dêrik, and Tel Tamr.

Basketball

In the Jazira region, basketball had long been confined primarily to schools. Although state policies focused on football, they failed to provide the infrastructure or financial support necessary for basketball's development. The shortage of sports halls and inadequate support for clubs also hindered the game's progress.

Following the revolution, however, basketball was reorganized.

In 2018:

• Men's and women's teams were established.
• Training centers were opened.
• Youth development programs were introduced.
• Committees affiliated with the Jazira Sports Union ensured the sport's systematic development.

New clubs were also established, including:

• Asatid Club
• Dijlah Club
• Ahli Amuda Club
• Hasakah Club
• Al-Darbasiyah Club
• Serdem Club
• Berxwedan Club

These clubs began training athletes across various age categories.

Women's basketball also expanded with the opening of training centers in Qamishlo and Dêrik.

The achievements recorded in the Syrian League demonstrated that sports in the region had regained momentum. During the period of the Autonomous Administration, sports halls were renovated and upgraded, allowing basketball to continue progressing despite the ongoing war.

Karate

Under the Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria AANES, individual sports were reorganized, with karate becoming one of the disciplines that witnessed the greatest development.

Karate was first introduced to the region in the 1970s by Shams al-Din Sufati, while Khaled Kilani played a prominent role in spreading the sport in Qamishlo.

Thanks to the efforts of specialized coaches, karate developed across numerous clubs, and many athletes from the region participated in national and international championships.

Athletes continued achieving success throughout the Autonomous Administration period. Karate competitors from the region won medals at the Syrian National Championships, participated in the West Asian Championship, and competed in international tournaments held in Dubai.

The silver medals won by Malika Talal and Af Havend represented a significant achievement, demonstrating that karate in the region was capable of competing internationally despite the hardships of war.

Sports Clubs in al-Jazira Region

The following sports clubs were established at different periods and continue to play an important role in the Jazira region in football, volleyball, basketball, karate, and other sports:

• Roj Club
• Ava Club
• Beroj Club
• Al-Jazira Club
• Al-Shabab Club
• Rmeilan Club
• Jovan Amuda Club
• Qamishlo Club
• Asayish Club (later renamed Al-Hilal Club)
• Ahli Amuda Club
• Asatid Club
• Dijlah Club
• Hasakah Club
• Al-Darbasiyah Club
• Serdem Club
• Berxwedan Club

ANHA