Posted on 01/18/2009 1:20:58 PM PST by SandRat
SADR CITY — As rockets crashed down in central Baghdad nine months ago, Special Groups criminals controlled the areas here intended for play and athletics.
But today, the children were back at play in northeast Baghdad as local government leaders opened the Faoo Family Park and the Regular 6 Sports Complex.
The facilities, which were once used by Special Groups to launch deadly attacks against the fortified Green Zone, were celebrated, Jan. 17, for being returned to the citizens as well as the military accomplishment of seizing the land back from the criminals.
“This park is for all the people to use it and all the families inside Sadr City,” said Sheikh Jamar Shahan, who runs the public workers in the Sadr City District. “It’s a joint venture between the Iraqi government, all the Sheikhs, and the support of the U.S. Army and U.S. Government.”
The two separate projects, which each cost nearly $500,000 to complete, are a landmark event for the Iraqi people in this once forgotten district. These projects symbolize a return to normalcy not known here since the days before Saddam Hussein ruled this land.
“We can see the happiness in the eyes of the children. We are proud of our job and we are proud to be a part of this team,” said Buad Abdul Sadr, the senior engineer in charge of refurbishing the park and sports complex.
The park, which boasts swing sets, a playground, benches and other childhood leisure activities, is a place for children to spend their free time.
The sports complex, which hosted its first event moments after the ceremonial ribbon was cut, is a place where future Iraqi National Team hopefuls will hone their skills on the soccer field, and in the weight and wrestling rooms.
“It’s very good and it’s very beautiful. We’re going to use it every day. We want to be on the Iraqi National Team,” said Majid Kareeb, a boy from the Sadr City District who attended each event.
Regular 6 Sports Complex is so named after Lt. Col. Brian Eifler, a Farmington Hills, Mich., native, who commands Task Force 1-6, Multi-National Division – Baghdad. Eifler commanded the American troops responsible for reclaiming this land as well as the improvements made there following the defeat of the Special Groups criminals.
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