Syriac Progressive Youth Union organizes inclusive football league in Hasakah honoring late goalkeeper Riyad Nawaf Marjan

HASAKAH, Syria — The Syriac Progressive Youth Union in Syria organized a football league for all the ethnic components in Hasakah, North and East Syria.

The tournaments took place in the local stadium in the Al-Nasira neighborhood in honor of the spirit of the late Riyad Nawaf Marjan, former goalkeeper of the Syriac Youth Club.

The league was opened on Wednesday in the presence of Marjan’s relatives, as well as members of the Syriac Progressive Youth Union, Union Co-Chair Subhi Malke, and representatives of the Syriac Union Party (SUP). Local Syriacs (Arameans–Assyrians–Chaldeans) and those who came from Europe to visit their families in the region also participated and welcomed this initiative.

The opening of the league was also blessed by Father Antonius Hinno of the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese of Gozarto (Jazira) and Euphrates.

“This league is a tribute to the spirit of the late goalkeeper Riyad Nawaf Marjan, who participated in all matches, including Bethnahrin Football Championship,” Malke stated to our news desk.

“Marjan had a very distinguished presence and sporting spirit,” he added. “He participated in all the activities of the Syriac Progressive Youth Union.”