Haqlaniyah children score big with new soccer field

Photo By Sgt. Shawn Coolman | The coach of the blue team passes out jerseys to the awaiting children of the Haqlaniyah, Iraq, soccer league on March 15. The embedded provincial reconstruction team and many private donors from the U.S. donated time and money to build a new soccer field in Haqlaniyah. The league officially began playing March 15 with the passing out of jerseys and equipment. Money was also raised for the local girls to buy volleyball equipment. (U.S. Marines photo/Cpl. Shawn Coolman)  

IRAQ

03.20.2008

Courtesy Story

I Marine Expeditionary Force

By Cpl. Shawn Coolman
Regimental Combat Team 5 Public Affairs Official

HADITHA CITY, Iraq The newly built soccer field in Haqlaniyah, Iraq, was officially opened Jan. 1, but unfortunately no games were played.

That all changed on March 15 when supplies flown in from America were passed out into the arms of the awaiting children.

"When we came here in September, the area of Haqlaniyah was pretty devastated, and most of the people were tired of the fighting," said Lt. Cmdr. Michael A. Wilson, assistant battalion surgeon, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5. "Haqlaniyah and the surrounding area was still a hotbed for insurgent activities and recruiting, and (we) felt a strong need to show the locals good things would come from working with coalition forces and the new Iraqi government."

Good things have come for the people of Haqlaniyah.

Embedded provincial reconstruction teams are working with the local Iraqis to teach them new job skills and to fund projects like the new city council building and library.

EPRT also helped supply the money required to build the soccer field. However, there was not sufficient funds to purchase equipment or fund the soccer leagues.

"I decided to contact my wife, family and friends back home and ask them for help," said Wilson. "My wife and a high school friend of mine organized two separate fund raising drives to raise money to buy the uniforms required to support the Haqlaniyah area soccer league. Together they coordinated the efforts of several groups and over 100 individuals to raise over $20,000."

To celebrate, a newly formed boys soccer league was formed with eight teams.

"We are very happy to have this place now," said Samer Hamid, 9, through an interpreter.

A competitive spirit ran ramped through the children while waiting to receive their new uniforms.

"Our team is going to beat everyone," said Hamid of the yellow team. "We are the fastest and the best scorers."

"No, our team is going to win, God willing," said Omar Khaled, 10, defending the green team.

The boys' league was funded; however, money was also raised to purchase volleyball equipment for the girls of the city.

"The key to the whole thing was a chance to help the kids in the Haqlaniyah area," said Wilson. "I firmly believe that random acts of kindness are contagious, and who better to hopefully share (kindness) with than the Iraqi children."

• Date Taken: 03.20.2008
• Date Posted: 03.20.2008 11:27
• Story ID: 17579
• Location: IQ