Syria Set to Host Arab Cycling Championship in Historic Sporting Return After 19 Years

Syria is preparing to host next month's Arab Cycling Championship, marking the nation's first regional sports event in 19 years. The last time overseas athletes competed in the country was in 2007 during the Arab youth football and volleyball tournaments. This drought will end when top cyclists from across the region arrive for the competition, scheduled to take place from October 2-13.

Preparations are actively under way to welcome teams and delegations from 14 participating Arab nations: Syria, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Palestine, Egypt, Sudan, Tunisia, Libya, and Morocco. The championship encompasses three main disciplines, namely road cycling, para-cycling, and mountain biking. Organizers anticipate around 10,000 attendees, which will include athletes, coaches, technical staff, officials, media representatives, volunteers, organizers, and spectators.

Mazen Al Salhani, Syria’s minister of tourism, emphasized the broader impact of the event. “The significance of hosting this championship goes beyond bringing a major Arab sporting event back to Syria after 19 years,” he stated. “It signals renewed confidence in Syria’s ability to receive delegations and organise major events, while reflecting its gradual return to the regional calendar of sporting, tourism and business events.”

Cycling will serve as a medium to showcase Syria's landscapes and cities, as race routes guide participants and spectators through various regions of the country. Following the conclusion of Syria's long civil war in 2024, President Ahmad Al Shara has prioritized the restoration of the nation's sporting infrastructure. Al Sharaa, a known basketball enthusiast, previously supported the national football team during the Arab Cup, personally calling the players to congratulate them after their group stage victory over Tunisia.