In a place where traditional Muslim values often hold sway, a group of teenage girls in sporty vests stroll through the Palestinian refugee camp of Shatila. Their coach, Coach Majdi, is the man who dreams of opening a sports school for the youngsters of a community kept on the fringes of Lebanese society.
Lebanon Refugees Sports
Situated in south Beirut, Shatila is a densely populated Palestinian refugee camp which has seen a recent influx of Syrian refugees, Lebanon, Dec. 2, 2014. (John Owens/VOA)
The youth squad was launched in 2009, Shatila refugee camp, Lebanon, Dec. 2, 2014. (John Owens/VOA)
Coach Majdi has lived in the camp all of his life and dreams of launching a sports school, Lebanon, Dec. 2, 2014. (John Owens/VOA)
As a Palestinian living in Lebanon, Coach Majdi faces restricted employment opportunities, Shatila refugee camp, Lebanon, Dec. 2, 2014. (John Owens/VOA)
Gulizar Osman, who plays for the girls basketball team, stands in front of the flag of Ireland because supporters who help fund the team are from Ireland. Coach Majdi calls them "the Irish delegation." (John Owens/VOA)
The quest for funding is an ongoing process and the teams rely on support to continue running from week to week, Shatila refugee camp, Lebanon, Dec. 2, 2014. (John Owens/VOA)
The girls basketball team practices on courts outside of the Shatila camp, Lebanon, Dec. 2, 2014. (John Owens/VOA)
Players leave Majdi Adam’s home. The football teams train weekly and play games against other local teams, Lebanon, Dec. 2, 2014. (John Owens/VOA)
Coach Majdi’s home also serves as a place to store sports equipment and a meeting point for the young players, Shatila refugee camp, Lebanon, Dec. 2, 2014. (John Owens/VOA)
The camp, first set up in 1949, and often floods due to poor drainage, leaving children with few places to play, Shatila refugee camp, Lebanon, Dec. 2, 2014. (John Owens/VOA)
Players abandon a match before half time due to the heavy rain, Lebanon, Dec. 2, 2014. (John Owens/VOA)
The girls basketball team regularly plays games against adult teams, Shatila refugee camp, Lebanon, Dec. 2, 2014. (John Owens/VOA)