FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON — Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers attended the Rashid Special Olympics, Aug. 22, to show their support for disabled athletes at the Al Thura Sports Handicapped Club, located in the Al Thura Disabled Veteran’s Community of the Rashid District in southern Baghdad.
Soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division applauded Rashid’s disabled athletes during the annual youth sports event that showcased tennis matches, table tennis and fencing in the spirit of camaraderie and competition for trophies and medals.
“It’s a great event,” said Capt. Thao Reed, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. “It shows that we can unite Iraqis and endorse teamwork and build camaraderie.”
The club is one of five youth sports centers for disabled athletes in Iraq, and the second such club in Baghdad. The Al Thura Club was first established in 2004 within a community in southern Baghdad and was created for disabled veterans of the Iraq-Iran War more than two decades ago.
The youth center and sports events, such as the games, are indicators that the mindset of Iraqi society is changing, said Reed.
“I think the Iraqi government are realizing that disabled citizens can be integrated into society and can play a productive role in society,” she said.
Activities such as the Rashid Olympics are great rehabilitation programs, integrating Iraqis into sports to build confidence and physical recovery for disabled athletes and citizens, said Reed.
With the help of non-governmental organizations, Iraqi leaders are also working to identify and treat youth suffering from the trauma of war, opening clinics to address mental health issues, such as depression, said Reed.
“They are providing special education classes meant to help increase awareness and wellness to reach the population,” she said. “The NGOs are doing their part to help educate Iraqi men and women, using programs such as the youth sport centers to help address those needs.”
Sgt. Andrew Glover said the opportunity to attend events such as the Rashid Olympics shows an improvement in the security situation for Iraqis in Baghdad.
“It also shows great leaps and bound in the fact that they have become self-sufficient as a whole and want to better themselves and their community,” said Glover, 4th Inf. Div.
As the Iraqi people worry less about security in their communities, the people are returning to a sense of normalcy in their lives, explained Reed.
The Rashid Olympics will conclude with the final championship games tentatively scheduled for Sep. 2.
