{"id":834076,"date":"2026-07-30T19:29:21","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T19:29:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/834076\/"},"modified":"2026-07-30T19:29:21","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T19:29:21","slug":"syrias-first-disability-football-tournament-takes-the-field-in-photos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/834076\/","title":{"rendered":"Syria\u2019s first disability football tournament takes the field, in photos"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>DAMASCUS (AP) \u2014 Players warmed up and prayed under a full moon in Damascus before the final of Syria\u2019s first football tournament for people with disabilities. The Damascus Governorate Club defeated the Omayya Club to win the title.<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-eb0000\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"The full moon rises above a player during the final of Syria's first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)\"  fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1785439754_591_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The full moon rises above a player during the final of Syria\u2019s first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)<\/p>\n<p>The full moon rises above a player during the final of Syria\u2019s first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)<\/p>\n<p>                Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n<p>        Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n<p>            Share<\/p>\n<p>                            Read More<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-eb0001\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Players from Damascus Governorate Club celebrate with the trophy after defeating Omayya Club in the final of Syria's first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)\"  fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1785439755_352_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Players from Damascus Governorate Club celebrate with the trophy after defeating Omayya Club in the final of Syria\u2019s first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)<\/p>\n<p>Players from Damascus Governorate Club celebrate with the trophy after defeating Omayya Club in the final of Syria\u2019s first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)<\/p>\n<p>                Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n<p>        Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n<p>            Share<\/p>\n<p>                            Read More<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-eb0002\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"A player wearing a winner's medal rests on his crutches after the final of Syria's first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)\"  fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1785439756_742_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>A player wearing a winner\u2019s medal rests on his crutches after the final of Syria\u2019s first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)<\/p>\n<p>A player wearing a winner\u2019s medal rests on his crutches after the final of Syria\u2019s first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)<\/p>\n<p>                Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n<p>        Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n<p>            Share<\/p>\n<p>                            Read More<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-eb0003\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Players from Damascus Governorate Club receive the championship trophy after defeating Omayya Club in the final of Syria's first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)\"  fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1785439756_743_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Players from Damascus Governorate Club receive the championship trophy after defeating Omayya Club in the final of Syria\u2019s first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)<\/p>\n<p>Players from Damascus Governorate Club receive the championship trophy after defeating Omayya Club in the final of Syria\u2019s first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)<\/p>\n<p>                Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n<p>        Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n<p>            Share<\/p>\n<p>                            Read More<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-eb0005\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"A player stretches beside a crutch before the final of Syria's first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)\"  fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1785439757_123_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>A player stretches beside a crutch before the final of Syria\u2019s first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)<\/p>\n<p>A player stretches beside a crutch before the final of Syria\u2019s first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)<\/p>\n<p>                Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n<p>        Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n<p>            Share<\/p>\n<p>                            Read More<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-5c0000\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"A goalkeeper makes a save as a player takes a shot during warmups before the final of Syria's first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)\"  fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1785439758_494_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>A goalkeeper makes a save as a player takes a shot during warmups before the final of Syria\u2019s first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)<\/p>\n<p>A goalkeeper makes a save as a player takes a shot during warmups before the final of Syria\u2019s first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)<\/p>\n<p>                Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n<p>        Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n<p>            Share<\/p>\n<p>                            Read More<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-eb0006\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Players, coaches and officials pray before the final of Syria's first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)\"  fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1785439758_839_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Players, coaches and officials pray before the final of Syria\u2019s first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)<\/p>\n<p>Players, coaches and officials pray before the final of Syria\u2019s first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)<\/p>\n<p>                Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n<p>        Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n<p>            Share<\/p>\n<p>                            Read More<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-eb0007\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Players from Omayya Club stretch before the final of Syria's first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)\"  fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1785439759_313_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Players from Omayya Club stretch before the final of Syria\u2019s first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)<\/p>\n<p>Players from Omayya Club stretch before the final of Syria\u2019s first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)<\/p>\n<p>                Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n<p>        Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n<p>            Share<\/p>\n<p>                            Read More<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-eb0008\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Female players watch the final of Syria's first football tournament for people with disabilities from the sidelines at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)\"  fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1785439759_770_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Female players watch the final of Syria\u2019s first football tournament for people with disabilities from the sidelines at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)<\/p>\n<p>Female players watch the final of Syria\u2019s first football tournament for people with disabilities from the sidelines at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)<\/p>\n<p>                Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n<p>        Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n<p>            Share<\/p>\n<p>                            Read More<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-eb0009\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Players from Omayya Club prepare before the final of Syria's first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)\"  fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1785439760_643_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Players from Omayya Club prepare before the final of Syria\u2019s first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)<\/p>\n<p>Players from Omayya Club prepare before the final of Syria\u2019s first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)<\/p>\n<p>                Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n<p>        Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n<p>            Share<\/p>\n<p>                            Read More<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-eb000a\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"The prosthetic leg and crutches of a player are seen during the final of Syria's first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)\"  fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1785439760_686_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The prosthetic leg and crutches of a player are seen during the final of Syria\u2019s first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)<\/p>\n<p>The prosthetic leg and crutches of a player are seen during the final of Syria\u2019s first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)<\/p>\n<p>                Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n<p>        Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n<p>            Share<\/p>\n<p>                            Read More<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-ec0000\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"A player balances on his crutches while warming up before the final of Syria's first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)\"  fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1785439761_287_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>A player balances on his crutches while warming up before the final of Syria\u2019s first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)<\/p>\n<p>A player balances on his crutches while warming up before the final of Syria\u2019s first football tournament for people with disabilities at Al-Muhafaza Stadium in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)<\/p>\n<p>                Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n<p>        Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n<p>            Share<\/p>\n<p>                            Read More<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"DAMASCUS (AP) \u2014 Players warmed up and prayed under a full moon in Damascus before the final of&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":834077,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[563],"tags":[64,63,596,482,405878,29665,8212,85,66180,29664,1346],"class_list":["post-834076","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-football","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-football","tag-general-news","tag-parasports","tag-photo-galleries","tag-photography","tag-sports","tag-syria","tag-trending-photo","tag-world-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/834076","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=834076"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/834076\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/834077"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=834076"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=834076"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=834076"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}