28 May 2015
“Tasneem Nabhan” (14 years), Syrian Tennis-Table player, she resident in the refugee camp in “altin ozou” in Hatay state, south of Turkey, she expressed her desire to get Turkish nationality, and the representation of Turkey in international tournaments.
Nabhan said to the news agency Anatolia, that she began to practice this sport six years ago, and she has made many of the medals on behalf of Syria, in competitions she took part in China, Kuwait, France and Jordan, she adding “we came to Turkey from Hama, a Syrian city, two years ago, I did not bring the rackets for a long time in the camp, but due to the Turkish Red Crescent and management of the camp; I was able to get a table and rackets”.
Nabhan pointed out that she started playing the game since she was 8 years old, and two years later she was selected for the national Syrian team, and she participated in outdoor championships, saying “Table tennis has become part of my life in a short time, and participated in the competitions, Jordan, Kuwait, France, China and I provided a good level and developed myself, I won the first place in China and Jordan, and the second in Kuwait, I also obtained 40 medals from my outside Syria, and 6 certificates of appreciation, but we were forced to flee to Turkey, because our lives have been in danger in Syria”.
Nabhan expressed her happiness to be able to do lots of exercises in the camp, indicating that she participated in amateur games in Hatay, and she teach the children of camp the game.
Nabhan expressed her desire to become a distinct global player, noting that it requires access to Turkish nationality, adding: “My only request from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, that gives me the Turkish nationality, then I can represent the Turkish national team, I want that strongly”.