ID :
180326
Fri, 05/06/2011 - 06:49
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/180326
The shortlink copeid
Unrwa Organizes First Marathon For Gazans
By Saleh Jadallah
GAZA STRIP (Bernama) - Hundreds of Palestinian schoolboys and girls took part in a marathon organised by United Nation for Relief and Work Agency (UNRWA) for the first time in the blockaded Gaza Strip.
They were also accompanied by 150 Palestinian athletes.
Palestinian runner Nader Al-Masri, who represented Palestine in the Beijing Olympics in 2008, was among the participants.
Al-Masri won the marathon after running for 42km in two hours and 42 minutes from the north of Gaza Strip until the beach to the south.
Al-Masri said that he was taking part in this activity to exercise as he would represent his occupied country in London Olympic in 2012.
Showing his solidarity with UNRWAR program, the international runner is proud of joining the UN-sponsored marathon.
"I am very proud to be here and thankful for UNRWA interest," said Al-Masri.
A statement released by UNRWA today said that this significant event which was implemented for the first time in the history of Gaza Strip was proposed by one of the international organisation's employees, Gemma Connel.
Connel was reported to say that the event had a great goal which would help them get funds for UNRWA fifth program for summer games offering amusement and cultural activities for about 250,000 Palestinian children.
"Such activities provide Gaza children with chances to make them feel as children; they rarely get such chances," she said.
The spokesman of UNRWA Christopher Gunnes said that Gaza Marathon and the next summer games sponsored by UNRWA aimed at finding relief for the people of Gaza Strip.
He also hopes these activities will step up the finical support for UNRWA.
"We seek creating natural feelings in one of the places where unnatural things happen. We hope people throughout the world will support UNRWA," he said.
The children were dressed in t-shirts distributed by UNRWA with Arabic words read "Summer games."
Despite his tiredness, 14-year-old school boy Salah Mahdi was delighted to run together with his friends.
He and his friends could not run to the finishing line, for they took part in such marathon for the first time.
"We are looking for more fabulous activities in the future like this one," said Salah while breathing heavily.
GAZA STRIP (Bernama) - Hundreds of Palestinian schoolboys and girls took part in a marathon organised by United Nation for Relief and Work Agency (UNRWA) for the first time in the blockaded Gaza Strip.
They were also accompanied by 150 Palestinian athletes.
Palestinian runner Nader Al-Masri, who represented Palestine in the Beijing Olympics in 2008, was among the participants.
Al-Masri won the marathon after running for 42km in two hours and 42 minutes from the north of Gaza Strip until the beach to the south.
Al-Masri said that he was taking part in this activity to exercise as he would represent his occupied country in London Olympic in 2012.
Showing his solidarity with UNRWAR program, the international runner is proud of joining the UN-sponsored marathon.
"I am very proud to be here and thankful for UNRWA interest," said Al-Masri.
A statement released by UNRWA today said that this significant event which was implemented for the first time in the history of Gaza Strip was proposed by one of the international organisation's employees, Gemma Connel.
Connel was reported to say that the event had a great goal which would help them get funds for UNRWA fifth program for summer games offering amusement and cultural activities for about 250,000 Palestinian children.
"Such activities provide Gaza children with chances to make them feel as children; they rarely get such chances," she said.
The spokesman of UNRWA Christopher Gunnes said that Gaza Marathon and the next summer games sponsored by UNRWA aimed at finding relief for the people of Gaza Strip.
He also hopes these activities will step up the finical support for UNRWA.
"We seek creating natural feelings in one of the places where unnatural things happen. We hope people throughout the world will support UNRWA," he said.
The children were dressed in t-shirts distributed by UNRWA with Arabic words read "Summer games."
Despite his tiredness, 14-year-old school boy Salah Mahdi was delighted to run together with his friends.
He and his friends could not run to the finishing line, for they took part in such marathon for the first time.
"We are looking for more fabulous activities in the future like this one," said Salah while breathing heavily.
