“Soccer, volleyball, chess, hopscotch, tug-of-war, jumping rope — for children surrounded by relentless destruction and uncertainty in the Gaza Strip, games and play bring psychological relief, joy and the opportunity to be with friends and loved ones.” – UNICEF, USA.
On 23 July Glasgow became the host city for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Seventy four Commonwealth Countries will be taking part in the Games which include 10 sports, 6 para sports, held across 4 venues.
At the same time in Gaza over a thousand Palestinians involved in sports, including their trainers and young promising athletes have been killed since the start of the Israeli bombardment in retaliation to the atrocities of October 7, 2023.
285 sports facilities have been destroyed.
Of the sports which athletes from around the world will be taking part in at the Glasgow 2026 ‘Friendly Games’ – the following Palestinian athletes have been killed:
Judo: Abdul Hafez Al-Mabhouh; Mohammed Matar – Media Official at the Judo Federation
Basketball: Basem Al-Nabahin; Hamed Abu M’aileq; Siwar Al-Madhoun; Raghad Al-Jabari – Wheelchair Basketball; Sama Al-Jabari – Wheelchair Basketball; Tahseen Taleb; Amir Al-Hilo Abu S’auod – Former coach of Khadamat Jabaliya Basketball Team.
Athletics: Mohammed Shaker Safi – Member of the Sports For All Federation, Athletics Coach, (he was also a Volleyball Referee); Bilal Abu Samaan – Coach, Athletics Federation; Kamel Al-Yaziji – President of the Athletics and Fitness Federation; Nabil Mubrek – Former President of Palestine Athletics National Team.
Also killed in Gaza were athletes in Volleyball; Karate; Bodybuilding; Wrestling; Nunchaku; Taekwondo; Baseball; Table Tennis; and 245 footballers.
Despite the devastation of their land, the destruction of facilities, the killing, maiming and imprisonment of some of their greatest athletes, Sport in Gaza continues – a brave display of resilience.
In May thousands of people took part in the Marathon and Half Marathon in Bethlehem in conjunction with one in Gaza.
Gaza Sunbirds
Founded in 2020 to put the power of the bicycle in the hands of people with disabilities, we’re a network of athletes, professionals, and volunteers turning resilience into international representation, global advocacy, and lifesaving aid.
We open pathways for amputated and otherwise disabled Palestinians to rehabilitate through sport, train, compete, and champion our collective cause.
The Orkney Vigils
In Kirkwall, Orkney, on Saturday 25 July between the hours of 1 and 2pm, peace campaigners will again meet in vigil on the Kirk Green, Broad Street, in support of the people of Gaza.
They invite anyone who wishes to see a permanent peace and the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza to join with them.
Visitors to Orkney come together with islanders at the Vigil. The Orkney News has been documenting the event since it began at the end of October 2023.
Fiona Grahame
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