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CNS Story:
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BETHLEHEM-SPORTS Jun-13-2007 (440 words) With photos. xxxi
Catholic Action-run center offers Palestinians unique workout spot
By Judith Sudilovsky
Catholic News Service
BETHLEHEM, West Bank (CNS) -- Palestinians now can enjoy a new, one-of-a-kind sports center where they can work out, practice on regulation-sized courts and play safely.
"It's something good to bring to Bethlehem, such a place. There is no place like this where women and also men can practice sports," said Sylvia Ghattas, 21, as she finished her workout in the gym of the Catholic Action-run sports center.
The building, financed by the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land, boasts the only regulation-sized and equipped basketball court in the Palestinian territories, as well as a gym and two multipurpose halls. Together with Catholic Action's existing outdoor pool, family center, children's hall and playground, the new sports center forms a 2.5-acre sports and recreational complex.
Before Catholic Action's sports teams practiced in a haphazard way at various venues throughout the city, said Issa Hazbon, director of the new center.
"This is a dream come true, and it has come true better than we imagined it could," said Hazbon. "Children are frustrated here. We direct them to sports to release their anger. They have nowhere else to go."
Hazbon noted that the youth teams are mixed Muslim-Christian, but the majority of the gym members are Christian. The other gyms in Bethlehem require the women to be covered up, he said, and Christian women feel uncomfortable with that.
"It is good we have something for us," said one young Christian woman.
The sports center will be able to provide more organized training for the Catholic Action basketball, volleyball, table tennis and swim teams, and the new fencing team, Hazbon said. The center, which opened officially June 9, also planned to offer karate lessons.
While gym membership costs about $25 a month, all sports team activities are free, he noted, since only about 10 percent of the children would be able to afford to pay any kind of fee. Catholic Action manages the center, and running costs will come mostly from the gym membership.
However, he said, the center still needs equipment and uniform donations for its teams, especially for the fledgling fencing team, which has only used equipment.
The center also needs about $25,000 to complete the elevator so those with physical disabilities can also enjoy the second-floor basketball court, said Hazbon.
One young mother said the new complex allows her to feel secure about where her children are. Along with other Christians interviewed, she noted that she feels comfortable and relaxed at the complex, since it is a Catholic-run place and a majority of those involved are Christians.
END
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