Sports federations awarded for activities

Football, basketball listed atop most active federations.

Some of the most active sports federations receive accolades for drawing the most "fanatical" crowds and for organizing tournaments and other competitions.

In a ceremony on January 23 in Erbil city, Kurdistan's Olympic Committee (KOC) awarded six sports federations in the region for their active roles in developing sports in Kurdistan in 2009.

The federations include football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, cycling, and track and field.

"The selection of the best federations was not done haphazardly, but it was based on their activities in organizing competitions and their effectiveness on drawing fanatical fans and players to the games," said Muayad Maghdid, KOC vice president.

He added: "The committee watched the activities of approximately 30 sports federations in Kurdistan Region in the matter of organizing leagues and competitions and the results of the clubs, especially at the Iraqi and Asian level."

According to a claimed accurate estimation by KOC, Kurdistan Football Federation (KFF) was first, as they were able to organize annual premier, 1st-grade, 2nd-grade, and 3rd-grade football leagues for the region's clubs. Running tournaments for youths and juniors was also another active step taken by KFA to promote well-trained senior footballers for the future.

Over the last three years, the KFF became the most active federation particularly after forming the Kurdistan national team. "We try, through events such as participating in VIVA World Cup, to prove that we are capable of playing at international levels, and we try to attract international federation's attention to the current sports progression in Kurdistan," said Saffen Kanaby, KFF president.


For nations unable to compete in the FIFA World Cup, they have been given an opportunity to take part in it. The Cup is held every two years and organized by the New Federation Board, an umbrella federation for nations unaffiliated with FIFA.

Kanaby and some other sports officials visited Paris on December 5 and met with 17 stateless regions' representatives to discuss several issues including preparation for the 2010 VIVA World Cup in Malta and the possibility of hosting the 2012 VIVA Cup in Kurdistan. Kanaby is now a VIVA bureau executive member.

In addition to the Kurdistan team, the Erbil football club, which won Iraq league title three consecutive times, and the Newroz footsal club would participate in the Asian championships if Iraq's football federation had not been suspended.

The Kurdistan Basketball Federation (KBA), which was chosen as the second most active federation, has created a suitable situation for basketball players to prove themselves via several indoor halls and arranged matches. Duhok's male basketball club is now at the top of the Iraqi league. Akad's female basketball team has won the Iraqi league title five times so far.

Most sports observers agree with selecting the Volleyball Federation as the third most active federation, as they have gathered a vast number of male and female players for the youth and junior teams with bright future.

In individual sports, the Table Tennis Federation (TTF) won the first most active federation award. Opening hundreds of cultural centers where the table tennis game is highly practiced has encouraged students join the sports clubs. The increase in the number of players has forced the TTF to organize many games for teams.

Selecting the Cycling Federation as the second most active individual game federation did not surprise people, especially when the roads are full of cyclists preparing for races. "This is the first time we as a cycling federation receive an award," stated Kana'an Esmael, Kurdistan Cycling Federation's representative at the ceremony. "We have many good cyclists who always have positive results in Iraqi and outside contributions." Esmael asked the KOC to help Kurdish cyclists to further contribute in Iraqi races.

The Track and Field Federation is the third most active individual game federation in Kurdistan Region, according to the KOC's estimation. Some people believe that Gulistan Mahmud and Bahar Khasro, two female runners who are now record holders in several different events other than running in Iraq, obliged the federation to respond to players' demands to arrange more competitions.

Although the awards were considered a motivating process, they did not please other federations. Almera Ahmed, the Kurdish Iraqi female Taekwondo national team deputy coach, criticized the KOC for not mentioning the Taekwondo Federation as one of the most active. "I do not know on which basis the awards were given. Our athletes are either in the championships or in the strengthening courses all the time," stated Ahmed.

"Last month we came back from Korea after going through an intensive course in Hanzo Taekwondo University that lasted for 45 days. We have eight Kurdish fighters in the Iraqi Taekwondo team. Doesn't the KOC call these things activities?" asked Ahmed.

After all the six so-called federations were given awards, Dr. Alan Qadir, KOC secretary, assured the other federations that the estimation was accurate and far removed from individual and organizational interference. "I ask the other 26 federations not to feel bad or become inactive, because the estimation will be repeated every year," noted Qadir.

Kurdistan football team coach appointed

Kurdistan Football Association (KFF) secretary Salam Hussein announced last week the appointment of a new coach for the Kurdistan national team, which will participate in the VIVA World Cup in Malta in mid July.

«After several suggestions, the KFF coaching staff decided to appoint Abdullah Mahmud as the Kurdistan football team manager for the VIVA World Cup," said Hussein, remarking on Mahmud's great training experience in Kurdistan and Iraq in general.

Mahmud trained several football clubs including Erbil FC and Brusk FC. He is currently the manger of Kirkuk FC, a team that held the top of this season's Kurdistan league.

"We trust Mahmud's capability and plans in summoning the players and achieving good results in the Cup. We will have a meeting with Mahmud on January 30 to discuss player selection and training plans," stated Hussein. Mahmud will have absolute power in making decisions, and KFF will fully support him in his new career, noted Hussein.

The VIVA World Cup, held every two years, is organized by the New Federation Board, an umbrella association for nations unaffiliated with FIFA.

Erbil club demands compensation

Dr. Abdullah Majeed, president of Erbil Club, revealed on January 20 that the club administration--through a lawyer--will complain to the International Olympic Committee after Erbil FC was denied a place in the next AFC Cup following the suspension FIFA imposed upon Iraq's football contribution at the outside contributions.

"The blatantly incorrect decision by the Iraqi government to disband the Iraqi Football Association deprived Erbil FC from taking part in the AFC Cup and damaged the whole sport in general in Iraq," said Dr. Majeed.

It is believed that some Iraqi politicians dislike sports promotions in Kurdistan. Said Dr. Majeed: "We now call on the International Olympic Committee and FIFA as the world governing body for our sport to compensate us for all efforts and money we spent in bargain signings with players and commercials, as well as the stadium renovation."

Dr. Majeed said the club would not have reconstructed the stadium if they had known they were not going to play in the AFC cup. Erbil FC and the Kurdistan Olympic Committee tried several times unsuccessfully to invalidate the Iraqi government's decision.
Most of the athletes and football fans in Iraq in general and Kurdistan Region in particular consider the Iraqi Football League now as no more than a group of friendly matches since the champions cannot participate in international competitions.

Kurdistan Bodybuilding Federation drafts new requirements

The Kurdistan Bodybuilding Federation (KBF) held a one-day conference on January 15 for Kurdish bodybuilders in Erbil, as it looks to form a draft constitution in which bodybuilding rules and athletes' rights are identified.

More than 50 bodybuilders, and bodybuilding trainers and referees, throughout Kurdistan Region attended the conference.

"We have made several significant decisions concerning the annual bodybuilding work plan," said KBF head Burhan Juma'a. "We have identified new requirements that each gym must meet. Whoever wants to open a gym should be an athlete and have a bodybuilding background. The gym should be big enough to hold all necessary tools and equipment."

Since Kurdistan has several bodybuilders who often perform extraordinarily in the Asian and Arab championships by winning gold and silver medals, the KBF decided to work on building relations between Kurdistan and other countries.

"The federation should ask the Kurdistan Olympic Committee to have a better standpoint toward those who participate in the international championships," said Ahmed Majeed, known as Ahmed Rambo. "Those who have no athletic background should not be given an official license for opening and managing gyms from the federation since bodybuilding is a very sensitive sport requiring experts."

Bowling grabs the Region's interest

Throwing strikes, indoors or out, is a new game here for all ages

Bowling grows as a local sport after several bowling alleys sprout up in Erbil and other cities over the past couple of years.

The sport of bowling began to flourish in the Region when several big malls and public parks were built after 2003. Although the sport is not played academically so far in the region and there is no bowling association to form teams and organize tournaments, there are still many avid fans and players in the Region.

Majidi Mall, Erbil's biggest shopping complex, consists of many sections including a bowling alley. After shopping, many people like to bowl. "I really enjoy bowling," said Ahmed Saqar, 18, taking a break after throwing five balls. "I like it because it is both entertainment and sport at the same time." Saqar, a high-school student in Erbil city, goes to the bowling alley four days a week. "I can't quit bowling; I am addicted to it," he said.

What most of the players are worried about is the price of the game--10,000 Iraqi dinars to bowl 20 balls--which is double the price compared to outdoor centers. "It is extremely expensive here; I have some friends in the school who like to come up here, but they can't afford to play."

Rebwar Hamad, 28, is a bowling fan who watches bowlers in Majidi Mall. Asked why he doesn't play since he loves the game, Hamad said: "I do not want to spend the money that took me eight hours to make today and bowl with it. I do not actually know why there is no federation imposing a fixed suitable price on the game so that everybody can practice it."

One reason bowling is an expensive game currently, according to some players, is because winter forced most bowlers to move from the outdoor centers to the indoor ones where anyone can play regardless of age.

"The price is not too high," claimed Abbas Ali, who runs the bowling alley in Majidi Mall. "If it was high we would not have this many people waiting in the queue."

Ali said that youngsters constitute the majority of players in the alley, though there are some in their sixties and seventies who give bowling a shot. It's the best thing for older people, said Ali, and "it's a great way to keep fit and meet people."

Saman Chomany is an outdoor bowler who has been playing in Akwa Park since it opened in 2006, and he is keen to stress that indoor bowling is not as interesting as outdoor bowling, where players enjoy playing more in the open air.

Chomany said bowling as his favorite game, even more so than football--which is believed to have the greatest number of fans. He concluded: "In football, a team is mostly made up of youths, but I have seen 7-year-old and 60-year-old bowlers here."

Football coaches receive training

The course directed the coaches to train their teams in more academic ways.

Under the supervision of the Kurdistan Football Federation (KFF), a four-day strengthening course for Kurdish football coaches was held in Erbil city last week. Courses were taught both theoretically and practically by German coach Thomas Roy to 30 team and goalkeeper coaches who train clubs competing in the Kurdistan league.

Thomas Roy, from Bayern, Munich, trained Germany's female national team in 2007 and spent many successful years as a Bavarian club goalkeeper. He received his international coaching certification from Deutsche Sporthochs School. "I can tell that all the participants who attended the course came to learn, and I came from my country to share all the knowledge of coaching techniques," stated Roy.

He hoped the course effectiveness upon the participants> ability and experiments will be reflected in future game results.

"I can say that everybody benefited from the course since it was different from the other courses taught in the previous years in several respects,» said Sabah Abdulhgafour, a participant. Abdulhgafour added: "The course directed the coaches to train their teams in more academic ways as the techniques of standing and moving in the field were intensively concentrated on."

Kurdistan Olympic Committee becomes an issue

In spite of obstacles, Kurdish sports seen as having "bright future"

Having two Olympic committees in Iraq creates a problematic situation, confusing many athletes in Kurdistan Region about how to deal with sports issues.

After the great 1991 Kurdish Uprising against the former regime, all governmental agencies including sports foundations withdrew in Kurdistan Region. Formation of the first KRG Cabinet enticed political officials to establish a sports committee to fill the gap made after cutting off relations with the Iraqi sports foundations.

Equivalent to Iraq's Olympic Committee (IOC), the High Sports Committee was founded in Kurdistan. It continued working for almost 11 years, when in 2006 sports officials decided to change the committee's name to the Kurdistan Olympic Committee (KOC).

Kurdish sports clubs have gone through notable administrative and financial crises that sometimes have paralyzed the clubs' activities for having two Olympic committees expecting each other to respond to the sports officials' demands, and as a result most of the sports issues remain outstanding.

"We do not have a specific law so far to identify the authorities and duties of Iraq's and Kurdistan Olympic committees, but there are some sections in the Iraqi Constitution giving Kurdistan regional privileges to have an independent Olympic committee," said Dr. Alan Qadir, Kurdistan KOC secretary since April 2009.

Thirty members of the general committee, 13 executive committee members, and four representatives in four provinces of Erbil, Kirkuk, Duhok, and Suleimaniyah constitute the KOC organizational chart. The KOC supervises 30 sports federations in the region.

Dr. Qadir added: "Having an Olympic Committee in Kurdistan doesn't signify we ignore Iraq's Olympic Committee, as some Baghdad sports officials think so. Rather, it means Kurdistan as any semi-autonomous region in the world has a sports agency to manage sports leagues and compose working plans for the teams."

Despite working together and having semi-coordinating relations, according to Dr. Qadir, there are misunderstandings between the IOC and KOC concerning their monetary system of working, especially in the Kurdish provinces.

The most notable issue the sports teams are suffering from is they can't be given a green light by the KOC to participate in the international tournaments without resorting to the IOC, as the KOC is not legally recognized by the international sports committee and doesn't have enough power in the matter of international contributions.

"I think Iraq's sports officials have no objections for having a sports agency in Kurdistan similar to what is available in Baghdad as long as it is not called 'Olympic Committee.' Their main concern is with the Olympic terminology that we use in Kurdistan."

"I believe the current disagreements will end if the Olympic Committee in Kurdistan gets changed into its former name [High Sports Committee]," he said.

A law project was prepared in 2007 by sports officials and was sent to Kurdistan Parliament in an attempt to get votes to legalize the KOC, but it did not end well. He believes if the KOC had been legalized by a law passed by Kurdish Parliament, Kurdish athletes and clubs would not have suffered the lack of a self-run system.

In Dr. Qadir's view, now is the right time for Kurdistan sports federations, especially the football federation, to work on how to become an official member of the international federations.

"If in any region the main six sports federations become members of international federations, an Olympic committee will automatically be required to manage the federations," he explained.


In the last three years, Kurdistan Football Federation (KFF) has become the most active federation--particularly after forming the Kurdistan national team.

"We try through taking part in the VIVA world cup to prove that we are capable of playing at the international levels, and we try to draw the international federation's attention to the current sports development in Kurdistan," said Saffen Kanaby, KFF president.

For nations unable to compete in the FIFA World Cup, they have been given an opportunity to take part in the VIVA World Cup, which is held every two years and organized by the New Federation Board, an umbrella association for nations unaffiliated with FIFA.

"We visited Paris on December 5 and had a meeting with 17 stateless regions' representatives discussing several issues including preparation for the 2010 VIVA Cup in Malta and the possibility of hosting the 2012 VIVA Cup in Kurdistan."

Kanaby is proud that he is now a VIVA bureau executive member, and thinks that it will be a historical achievement for all Kurdish people if Kurdistan hosts the 2012 Viva World cup.

"The FIFA World Cup started just like VIVA at first, as it was a small tournament. If we want to progress, we need to shine at VIVA."

In most respects, Kanaby regards Kurdistan Region like the Catalonia region of Spain, which has a strong team with many international football stars.

Trying to build good relations, Kanaby sent a letter to the Catalonia team congratulating them on the occasion of beating the Argentina national team last month, and asked them if they could arrange a friendly match one day.

Concerning the IOC's decision resulting in the dissolution of the IFF, banning Iraq and Kurdistan from international sports, and lastly Erbil FC's removal from the AFC Cup, Kanaby said, "We could find some ways allowing Erbil FC to take part in the AFC Cup, but it would end up with rising tensions between Kurdistan sports officials and their Iraqi counterparts. That was not our aim."

Kurdish sports observers think that sports in Kurdistan has a bright future, like the United Kingdom regions Wales and Scotland that participate even in the FIFA World Cup.

2009 "Sports Poll" Results Released

According to the latest poll, football and its players rule in Erbil province.

Poll naming "best" sports figures supported by some, but not all, of Erbil's sports enthusiasts.

Winners of 2009's best sports clubs, athletes and sports journalists in Erbil province were recently selected in a poll. The results of the poll-which was organized by Kurdistan Democratic Youth Union-were announced December 28 in a ceremony in where winners received awards.

Voters in the poll included 1,200 athletes and other sports figures. The voters were employees in the Department of Sports and Cultural Centers in the Ministry of Culture and Youths, professors and students of the Sport Education College and Institute at Salahaddin University, coaches and captains of Kurdistan sports clubs, and other sportspersons in Erbil province.

"I personally feel very happy for being selected as the best sports analyst among many other able people in Erbil," said Mamayara Ahmed, whose analytical reports are mostly published in "Hawler," a daily newspaper, and "Barzan" sports weekly magazine, both of which are known to have the greatest number of readers in Kurdistan.

In spite of a few small problems, according to Ahmed, the poll was fairer compared to other ones took place in the previous years in the area. "Because football is the most popular game in Kurdistan, the voters--regardless of other games--focused mostly on those who were either footballers or had something to do with football," noted Ahmed.

Ahmed thinks that polling is not academically recognized, but it is at least a good start for better ones that may happen in the future.

Sport programs on Kurdistan television have successfully attracted large audiences on a regular basis, especially on weekends when famous European football leagues are on show. The creation of a dedicated audience and systematic viewing patterns has enabled the media to maintain its role as a familiar aspect of "everyday life."

Today in Kurdistan, Aso, a local sports television channel, which launched on October 10, 2005, continues to draw a large number of sports fanatics by regularly broadcasting an almost identical variety of sports.

Although in the poll Aso was selected as the best channel in transmitting outside sports activities--especially European leagues--the director was not very happy as his channel did not also win the title of best channel for broadcasting local sports activities.

"In Kurdistan there is no 100-percent fair poll for anything. The process was not organized by an independent agency; the organizers rather satisfied some journalists and players who might get mad if their names were not mentioned in the poll," said Sardar Balisany, director of Aso sports TV.

He added: "During 2009 we tried seriously to get our spectators acquainted with the most local sports events in Erbil province without making a difference among the types of the sports."

Balisany also criticized the process for not mentioning athletes other than footballers. "Most of the athletes winning titles in the poll were footballers as if there were no players other than footballers. At least they should have given an award to somebody like Rahman Ahmed, the only Kurdish basketball player on the Iraqi national male team."

In the goalkeeper category, Sarhang Muhsin, Erbil FC goalkeeper, led the poll of Kurdistan's best goalkeeper.

"This achievement is a strong motive for me to give my best in 2010; it also makes my job harder as I have to justify to everybody that I deserve to be selected as the best goalkeeper," said Muhsin, who thinks the title was not given to him haphazardly.

"The voters understand well that keeping a goal of a team like Erbil FC in the Iraqi league is an extremely tougher and harder job than to be a goalkeeper of a modest team in Kurdistan league, since the nature of both leagues are different and the teams play against Erbil FC own stronger forwards," explained Muhsin.

Concerning other athletes and journalists, Muhsin said, "They were all expected to win the titles."

Broosk FC collected two titles as the best team in the city and best school for training local players, while its president, Tariq Abdulrahman, received the best sports personality award.

"Last year we became the best team in providing other Kurdish teams with our players, as we are known to be the school of local footballers," said Jalal Othamn, Broosk FC assistant coach.

Selecting Broosk as the best team came after it was able to win 2009 Kurdistan football league title for the second consecutive time.

According the poll announcement, other results include the following: best club president, Hakim Jamal, who heads Handren club; best coach, Abdullah Mahmud, who trains Kirkuk FC; best player, Dildar Ibrahim, who plays for Erbil FC; best TV channel for broadcasting local sports activities, Zagros satellite channel; best TV channel for broadcasting outside sports activities, Aso sport TV channel; best sports correspondent, Saman Suleman, Kurdistan satellite channel correspondent; best TV channel for having the most spectators while transmitting football league, Qellat TV channel; best sports journalist, Arsalan Abdullah, who writes for "Hawler."

Suleimaniya FC to withdraw from Iraq premier league

The Suleimaniya football club announced through a statement that the team will not participate in the Iraqi premier league due to an extreme financial crisis.

"Due to the bad financial condition Suleimaniya FC is going through, all the administration members decided that the club's participation in this season's Iraqi league is impossible," stated Harda Rauf, Suleimaniya club secretary.

According to Rauf, the club officials many times requested that the KRG's dissolved Sport and Youths Ministry respond by allocating a special budget for bargain signings with new players and other sports needs, but their requests were never met.

Rauf also confirmed that the club, through a formal letter, informed the temporary Iraqi football committee that "the Suleimaniya team is unable to participate in the Iraqi Premier League," and apologized for that decision.

The Suleimaniya club, based in Suleimaniya city, was founded in 1957.

Iraqi-Kurdish footballer leaves Iran's Persepolis pro league

Iraqi footballer Hawar Mulla Mohammed left the Iranian league and returned to Iraq two weeks ago, supposedly due to issues with Iran team officials.
"I decided to quit playing for Persepolis FC because the club reduced 15 percent of my contract pay," announced Mohammed. He said the pay reduction was decided upon by club administrators under the pretext that he took more time than the club permitted for vacation. Though the club holds Mohammed to his contract, Mohammed said: "I'd like not to be forced to go back to Iran since I have no taste to play for the club again." FIFA is expected to interfere in this issue soon to find a fair solution for both sides. Mohammed, born in 1981 in Mosul, is an Iraqi Kurdish football player who plays winger and wingback positions for Persepolis in Iran's pro league. Mohammed is known to be one of the best players on the Iraqi national team, and was a key figure in Iraq's 2007 Asian Cup glory. He played for several famous clubs such as Mosul and Alqwa-Aljawiyah from Iraq, Apollon Limassol and Anthorthosis from Cyprus, Al -Ansar from Lebanon, Al-Ain UAE, Al-Khor from Qatar, and Persepolis from Iran. He made history on September 17, 2008, by becoming the first-ever Iraqi player to play in the UEFA Champions League after coming on as a substitute in Anorthosis' 0-0 draw with Werder Bremen; he bettered his record on October 1, 2008, by scoring Anorthosis' third goal against Panathinaikos in the Champions League. He joined Persepolis in July 2009 and moved to Iran in August 2009 for the first time.