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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Dec 3, 2008 - 11:51:18 PM |
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Blackanthem Military News
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| Lt. Col. William Zemp, the 3-320th FA commander, looks on as Garbi Abbas, the Mahmudiyah Qada Council sports and youth director, shows him the drainage system on the Mahmudiyah soccer stadium field April 20. (U.S. Army photo by Pvt. Christopher McKenna, 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. (AASLT)) |
FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq - The Mahmudiyah Soccer Stadium officially opened April 20 with a 24-team, double-elimination tournament sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development.
This was the first in a series of three tournaments scheduled over the next four months. Security for each event will be provided by the 25th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division.
"Many people are excited about both the tournament and the stadium," said Garbi Abbas, the Mahmudiyah Qada Council sports and youth director. "These games are a place for children and adults alike to enjoy the game of soccer."
The stadium now has three levels of concrete bleachers, fencing around the field and a drainage system connected to sewer pipe lines, allowing the field to properly drain after a rainfall.
"This tournament is a time for people who are interested in sports to come out and celebrate," Abbas said. "It's been a long time since the area was safe enough for something like this to happen."
Rakkasan Soldiers are looking on from the outside, allowing the events to take place without Coalition presence.
"The security in the area has increased drastically since we have arrived," said Lt. Col. William Zemp, commander 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). "This tournament can occur because of the cohesiveness between the Iraqi Army, Iraqi Police and Sons of Iraq working together to ensure a safe environment in Mahmudiyah."
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
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| Players from competing teams in the Mahmudiyah Soccer Tournament line up on the field April 20. (U.S. Army photo by Pvt. Christopher McKenna, 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. (AASLT)) |
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| One of the teams in the Mahmudiyah Soccer Tournament warms up at the new stadium prior to the opening game April 20. (U.S. Army photo by Pvt. Christopher McKenna, 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. (AASLT)) |
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