Iraqi Football Team Relocates From Baghdad to Irbil for Safety

[Barrett808]

Iraqi Football Team Relocates From Baghdad to Irbil for Safety
By Brian Padden
Irbil, Iraq

No segment of Iraqi society seems to be safe from the violence, including those in the world of sports. In July, members of the Iraqi Olympic National Committee and more than 30 others were kidnapped in Baghdad. This past week, a suicide bomber killed 10 people at a sports stadium in Hadhar. The Iraqi national football team has also received death threats. As a precaution, it has relocated from Baghdad to the northern city of Irbil.

The Iraqi national football team is now practicing in the northern city of Irbil, in the relatively peaceful Kurdish region of the Iraq.

Team manger Akram Salman says he wanted to resign because of death threats, but could not find anyone to take his place. So, he made the decision to move the team out of Baghdad.

"As everyone knows, the situation in Iraq is very dangerous, especially for the professional players," he said. "None of them could play in Baghdad. We received many calls against the players and coaches. It made it dangerous for our lives and our souls."

(more)

http://www.voanews.com/english/2006-08-05-voa29.cfm

[zonkers]

1. So both the Shia and the Sunn have it in for organized sports?

Not suprised about the Shia but for some reason I did not think the Sunni were that enthusastic about no sports -- guess I was wrong, I just read the coach got Sunni threats too.

[Barrett808]

3. Not just that -- they'll kill you for wearing shorts.

For real.

[Name removed]

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