Qatari midfielder brings joy to refugee kids in Turkey

By Cem Genco

HATAY, Turkey (AA) - Qatari midfielder Adel Lamy played football with Syrian children in southern Hatay province Wednesday, bringing a smile to the faces of those who suffered immensely during the ongoing war in their home country.

Lamy was in the province’s Reyhanli district as part of a four-day program organized by the International Charity and Development Association.

The program, which ended Wednesday, featured a football competition, painting, making pictures on walls and traditional games for children.

“I am here to make them smile…The war in Syria mostly affected the children and left them as victims,” Lamy told Anadolu Agency.

"I came here to give them moral support and to see their sufferings first hand.”

Apart from the Qatari midfielder, 28 people from other countries, including Morocco, Spain, Algeria, Qatar, the U.K., the U.S. and Egypt also participated in the program.

The association’s Deputy Chairman Necip Fazil Aksoy said the program aimed to promote solidarity with Syrian families and children.