Syria not to take part in Arab Games in protest against Arab League suspension

Syrian athletes will not take part in the upcoming Arab Games which will take place in Qatar in December in protest against an Arab League’s decision to suspend the membership of Syria, the official state news agency SANA reported Sunday.

“The Syrian Olympic Committee and the General Sports Federation on Sunday announced that Syrian athletes will not be participating in the upcoming Arab Games which will take place in Qatar as a gesture of protesting the Arab League resolution regarding Syria,” according to Sanaa.

The Syrian Olympic Committee and the General Sports Federation reported said the Syrian athletes would “replace their sports dress with military uniform” to defend the country against “conspiracy.”

Earlier, Abdulla al-Mulla, acting director for ceremonies at the 22-country Doha Games, said Syria would take part in December’s Arab Games despite the country’s suspension from the Arab League, according to Reuters.

“They will participate and we are welcoming all athletes from the Arab nations,” al-Mulla, said.

“We never mix up politics with sport, so they are most welcome to come to Doha. And the confirmation, we have that in writing from Syria.”

The Arab League was imposing economic and political sanctions on Damascus and had appealed to member states to withdraw their ambassadors, Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani said on Saturday.

It also called on the Syrian Army to stop killing civilians. Assad has cracked down on protesters against his rule and the United Nations says more than 3,500 people have been killed in seven months of violence in the country.

Some 6,000 athletes are expected at the Arab Games which will include soccer, swimming, athletics, gymnastics, equestrian events and basketball.