Syria wins bid to host Arab Cycling Championship

Syria has won the bid to host the Arab Cycling Championship from October 2 to 13.

It will be the first major regional sporting event to be held in Syria in 19 years, bringing together participants from 14 nations.

The hosts will be joined by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Palestine, Egypt, Sudan, Tunisia, Libya and Morocco.

The championship will feature three main disciplines: road cycling, para-cycling and mountain biking.

The event is expected to attract around 10,000 people, including athletes and teams, coaches, technical staff, officials, media representatives, volunteers, organisers and spectators.

The preparations have included a visit to Syria in July by an official delegation from the Arab Cycling Federation, led by President Dr. Yasser Omar Al-Dawkhi.

The delegation met with the Ministry of Sports and Youth, the Ministry of Tourism, Damascus Governorate, Rif Dimashq Governorate, the Syrian Cycling Federation and other relevant authorities, and visited the race routes and facilities, including the approved track and Al-Dimas Shooting and Equestrian Club.

The championship marks an important step in Syria’s broader efforts to attract major sporting, tourism and business events.

"The significance of hosting this championship goes beyond bringing a major Arab sporting event back to Syria after 19 years. 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," said Mazen Al-Salhani, Syria’s Minister of Tourism.