Photo By 1st Sgt. Brent Williams | Two Iraqi soccer teams face off in the Rashid Olympics Masafee Hayy Championship...... read more read more
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Staff Sgt. Brent Williams
1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq – The Rashid Olympic Games are underway in southern Baghdad as 14 teams compete in a local soccer tournament for the chance to become champions.
Two teams from the Masafee Hayys, part of the Doura community in southeastern Baghdad, faced off in a championship match at a community soccer field, July 31, in the Rashid District of southern Baghdad.
Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers played a key role in the event, working as advisors to the local community leaders and, best of all, observing the games, said Capt. Thao Reed, commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
Reed said that her primary role is to help the Iraqi leaders from the local neighborhood councils with their initial planning and ongoing efforts to create a community program for Iraqis.
"The games are very well-organized with officials, referees, halftimes and rules," Reed said. "It shows the potential of what the Iraqi leaders have when they really want to do something."
Reed said that the games provide the Iraqis a sense of normalcy and, in the long term, the people see their local leaders doing something good for the community.
"Through sports, they are also building a loyalty base with the kids – building pride and respect within the communities," Reed said.
Saif, a member of Sons of Iraq, said that the he is very happy to see the two teams play in Masafee.
"Things have changed in the last year," Saif said. "Last year, no one could play. Everyone had to stay in their house, but now we can come together and be together."
The Sons of Iraq, provided security for the soccer match, which members of the Rashid District Council and the Director of Masafee attended, he said.
"I help to ensure security in the area," Saif said. "I help to make this event possible for the Iraqis to come together and play soccer together."
The Rashid Olympics Hayy Championship Soccer tournament will continue through the month of August; the Rashid District Championship game is tentatively scheduled for September.
| Date Taken: | 07.31.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 08.02.2008 13:06 |
| Story ID: | 22056 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 86 |
| Downloads: | 80 |
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