Playing rugby during Syria’s civil war

In 2004 a rugby union team was formed in the Syrian capital Damascus. It consisted of British and French players working in the country, and one Syrian: Mohamad Jarkou.

As protests against Syria’s government in 2011 were met with violent crackdowns by the authorities, foreign workers began to leave the country.

But it didn't spell the end for the sport, in that same year a team formed exclusively of Syrians, including Mohamad Jarkou, won the Men’s Gulf Open at the Dubai Sevens tournament.

Mohamad then formed the Syrian High Rugby Committee and set about growing the game, he is now the General Secretary of Syrian Rugby.

He’s been speaking to Tim O’Callaghan about how the sport thrived in a country that had become engulfed by civil war.

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(Photo: The Damascus Zenobians celebrating their win at the Dubai Sevens in 2011. Credit: Mohamad Jarkou)