
Organized sports aren't just for full-time athletes anymore
Policemen and other regional security forces are able to let go of stress and job-related issues by participating in sporting events.
Although protecting the lives and property of people is the main job of security forces and policemen in Kurdistan, that doesn't mean they can't do other things. There are many officers, including lieutenants, captains, majors, and even generals who spend their down time in sports clubs. Some directly play and practice a specific game, while others manage crucial sports offices.
Brigadier Abdulkhaliq Tala'at is known as one of the most active policemen in Kurdistan Region who, despite being busy with his major job, pays great attention to the fun part of sports. "I started loving sports in childhood when I played with friends in my neighborhood team," said Tala'at.
In every Erbil neighborhood in the 1980s, there was at least one soccer team. All the teams representing their areas played in organized tournaments.
Realizing that there were a large number of policemen playing and helping sports clubs in the region, Tala'at's dedicated love for sports did not fade; rather, it kept growing as he became the director of Erbil Police Headquarters three years ago.
"I tried via my position and good relationships with high-ranking government officials to create a situation in which policemen and security forces could display their sports skills through competition," explained Tala'at, who thinks police--like ordinary people-can get relief from stressful jobs through sports.
For a vast majority of policemen, or at least those who like sports, Broosk Sports Club is like their second home--the club is run by the Interior Ministry of the Kurdistan Regional Government.
Broosk, which is believed to be the oldest sports club in Kurdistan, was founded in 1956 and funded by a police agency at that time. It changed its name to Shurta (Police), but that led to trouble and the club was dissolved. In 1994, the club was formed again and officially accepted into the Iraqi league.
The club is honored to have Major Tariq Abdurrahman--who was chosen as the Best 2009 Sportsperson in Erbil city in a poll arranged by Kurdistan Democratic Youth Union--as the president of the club. Abdurrahman used to be the greatest soccer star on the Erbil club and the police club in Baghdad. He is the only Kurdish member for the newly formed Iraqi football committee now.
"When we mention Broosk, we have to remember that we talk about a soccer school, as most of the players who are playing for the other Kurdistan clubs were trained at Broos," said Tala'at, who is now the deputy president of Broosk.
Most of the administration members and players of the club are either police or employees of the Interior Ministry. Tala'at has had a big role in promoting sports, especially in Erbil city, by working closely with Erbil province's Governor Nawzad Hadi in building more than 60 footsal stadiums in the neighborhoods.
"We are planning to build a big soccer stadium just for policemen to practice soccer. If we had more time after our jobs we would definitely do more," he said.
Anyone visiting Tala'at's home or office notices he either listens to sports scores or watches Spanish soccer league games. He is an excited fan of Real Madrid. And he was invited by the KRG representative in Spain to watch live events at the next Superclassico match between the two major soccer teams Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Captain Karwan Abdulkarim, a police officer, was recently elected as Broosk's secretary after he served the club for several years as club administration member then media manager. Abdulkarim has an athletic background and graduated in sports department at the Erbil Teaching Junior College in 1992 and played for several neighborhood teams in Erbil.
"I was asked by the club president a few years ago to become the administration member as he noticed that I am a policeman and graduated from a sports institute," said Abdulkarim
According to Abdulkarim, police must dedicate time to sports because they need to be nimble on the job. "If they practice these actions in an organized and academic way such as playing soccer, basketball, or other similar sport, they will have fun and benefit."
Consistency gave strength to the Broosk club, and its players' full dedication and love for the team led the club to winning Kurdistan soccer league two consecutive times.
"Footballers' obedience to high sports and police ethics, their indescribable love for their club, and the integrity among them are the main factors resulting in great achievements. Our volleyball team has represented Iraq several time in the Arab championships; our bodybuilders are the Asian champions, and are all policemen," Abdulkarim said.
He attributed the increasing number of police sportspersons at the Broosk club to the fact that policemen are encouraged to join the club and get administration posts through the club's annual election.
"In a democratic process and a fair election, Capt. Khasro, who runs the men's reformation center, and Capt. Saran, who is the emergency police director in Erbil, were elected as two other administration members."
Besides Broosk, there are other clubs for which police participate. Sherzad Hamza, 22, is a policeman and young player for the Brayati (Brotherhood) soccer club in Erbil.
Asked if his playing affects his job negatively, Hamza said, "I think any player who has a plan and schedule can do his job and take part in any sports activities with no problem. I am doing my job sincerely, just as I play." Hamza hopes to see his club in the premier league next year so that he can expose his skills and become more famous.
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