Moanis Al-Bariyeh to Al-Jazeera Net: I hope for the Arab final between Palestine and Algeria sports

The young Palestinian man, Muanis Al-Birya, who comes from the city of Umm al-Fahm and is familiar with Palestinian football affairs as an agent for a number of players on the Fedayeen team, expressed the extent of the negative impact of the Israeli war on the lives of Palestinians and on the practice of sports, especially football.

Adel Khalo: First of all, we welcome you. Will you introduce yourself to us?

Mu’nis Al-Bariyeh: I am Mu’nis from Palestine, a players’ agent. Welcome to Qatar. Winning is not the most important thing, but rather our lasting hope is with Al-Fidai.

How did you experience the national team’s qualification over Libya for the opening match?

Moenis: We expected to qualify, frankly. The Arab Cup without Palestine is “not good.” It is a great honor for us to be in the opening match, and God willing, we will be lucky.

Did you face difficulties arriving in Qatar?

Mo’nis: As usual, inspections have become a part of our lives. But once we arrived in Qatar, things went smoothly.

As a player agent, do you have players on your current national team roster?

Moenis: Yes, I represent the players: Amid Mahajni, Ahmed Taha, and Alaa El-Din Hassan, who is currently suffering from an injury. I was the one who accompanied them from Palestine to Qatar.

Can players still play football under the current circumstances? Are there academies to discover talent?

Moanis: Unfortunately, football is almost non-existent in Palestine now. The league is suspended, and most of the national team players play outside the country. As for young talents, they have no opportunity, as there are no academies or even street football under the current circumstances.

What is your message to the players if you were the national team coach?

Moanis: God willing, we will win the Arab Cup, and God willing, the Palestinian player will get his chance in the world. Many athletes were martyred in the war, may God have mercy on them.

If I were a coach, I would tell the players:
“Play and show the world your strength, and prove what Palestine can offer. Palestine is not just suffering; it has a high level and great capabilities.”

If we assume that Palestine reaches the final, who do you hope the other party will be?

Moanis (laughing): Let us first qualify for the final…then we can dream. If this happens, I hope that Algeria will be the second party.

A final word for Al Jazeera Net

Moanis Al-Bariyya: Thank you to the State of Qatar, and thank you to Al Jazeera Net for hosting this. The Qatari people are sophisticated, their country is beautiful, and the victory is Arab in all cases. Thank you all.