Khalilzad: Youth Center Symbolizes Values

Iraqi, U.S. officials and several members of Iraq’s 2004 Summer Olympic team attended the re-opening of the youth center, which will offer a variety of sports programs.

By Norris Jones Gulf Region Central District US Army Corps of Engineers BAGHDAD, April 13, 2006 — Iraq and U.S. officials toured the newly-renovated Al Huriya Youth Center in Baghdad March 25.

Among those participating were U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, Iraq Olympic Committee President Ahmed Al-Samarrai and Iraq Minister of Youth and Sports Talib Aziz Zaini.

"The United States stands with Iraqis as they attempt to improve their community. The various sporting activities that Iraqi children will engage in here offer several useful and timely lessons. This center will provide activities for youth of all sects and ethnic groups and teach them the benefit of teamwork."

A crowd, mostly dressed in vibrant combinations of red, blue, and black sports apparel, gathered to hear the guests speak. Khalilzad looked out at the crowd of young athletes and told them how happy he was to have the opportunity to celebrate the re-opening of the youth center with them.

“As I speak with you here today, the newly elected leaders of the free and sovereign Iraq are struggling to form a government of national unity. This is a critical step for the future of Iraq. It’s a defining moment and your leaders have an incredible challenge ahead of them to overcome the strife that threatens to rip Iraq apart,” said Khalilzad. “I wish they could be here with me today. Your faces and this place are reminders of what’s at stake in their deliberations.”

He had earlier toured the brightly-lit facility to see the renovations completed by the Noor Al Qaim Company of Baghdad. Repairs to the building included upgrading the plumbing and electrical systems; installing new air conditioners; repairing and replacing floors; as well as replastering and painting both interior and exterior walls. In addition, a new basketball/ volleyball court was created outside.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Gulf Region Division is responsible for 3,200 reconstruction projects in Iraq from primary schools to hospitals, water treatment plants and electrical networks to police stations and courthouses. Currently 1,200 of those projects are completed. Of that work, the division's Gulf Region Central District is overseeing over 1,300 projects in Baghdad and Al Anbar Provinces.

The 10th Mountain Division financed the $442,000 project through the Commander’s Emergency Relief Program funds. U.S. Army Maj. Dan Coffey, officer in charge of Gulf Region Central’s Resident Office supporting the 10th Mountain, pointed out that it was the community itself which identified Al Huriya Youth Center as a top priority. “They understand how important such a facility is to their community and are very pleased with the pride the contractor demonstrated in his work.”

The youth center offers programs and training in weightlifting, boxing, wrestling, judo and soccer. During the tour, the guests viewed young Iraqi boxers sparring; wrestlers practicing takedowns; soccer players kicking goals; and weightlifters pumping iron.

Pleased by the renovations and with the activities he saw going on at the Al Huriya Youth Center, Khalilzad stated in his opening remarks, “This facility and the activities in which Iraqi youth will participate within its walls, have much to say about the transition through which Iraq is going.” Continuing, he said, “First of all, Iraq is rejoining the world after decades of isolation under the cruel dictatorship of Saddam Hussein. I remember how wonderful it was to see the Iraqi national sovereignty join the athletes of the world at the Olympics in 2004 and perform beyond all expectations. That performance signaled that Iraq once again was becoming a normal member of the international community and that Iraqis were ready to compete and to take their place among the best.”

Several members of Iraq’s 2004 Summer Olympic team were present for the re-opening of the youth center and were individually recognized; each presented a gold ring as a memento of their achievement.

Khalilzad continued, “The United States stands with Iraqis as they attempt to improve their community. The various sporting activities that Iraqi children will engage in here offer several useful and timely lessons. This center will provide activities for youth of all sects and ethnic groups and teach them the benefit of teamwork. The sports that will be played here encourage children to compete but within an established system of rules. Finally, sports will allow us to succeed or fail - not based on who we are or where we come from - but rather on our merits as individuals.”

Peter Debski, Gulf Region Central District’s Quality Assurance Representative, noted that the youth center was a great example of how life in Iraq continues to improve. “This is a facility that Iraqi families and children will utilize for years to come,” he said. An estimated 1,500 young people use the facility daily.

Iraq’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Talib Aziz Zaini, stressed the importance of Iraq’s youth centers and how they were the first step in fighting terrorism. Iraq’s Olympic Committee President, Ahmed Al-Samarrai, told the group that sports was Iraq’s real ambassador. The United States believes in sports programs. Since 2003, the U.S. has contributed over $40 million toward youth and sports activities in Iraq. These contributions include funds to the National Olympic Committee of Iraq and funds to repair the Al-Shaab Stadium in Baghdad.

Over $10 million supported athletes participating in the 2004 Olympics. The U.S. has worked closely with the Ministry of Youth and Sports to rehabilitate and/or equip sports centers and parks as well as to establish sporting leagues throughout the country. Over 50,000 Iraqis have benefited from leagues and events organized as a result of the U.S. grants.

Khalilzad pointed out that the Al Huriya facility symbolizes some of the important values that Iraqis are fighting for in their struggle against terrorism. “If you look at the ideology of the terrorists, it is essentially a culture of death. Iraqis, on the other hand, aspire to rebuild a culture of life … life that includes the joy of sports, the spirit of comradeship, team endeavors, and the energy of youth.”

He noted that throughout the Middle East a new generation was rising. “The question is how they will define their nation. I believe that Iraq’s young people, despite the hardships of Iraq’s current difficult transition, will aspire to restore Iraq’s greatness … a greatness based on learning and achievement,” he said.

Khalilzad closed his remarks stating, “A successful Iraq will reshape the future of the Middle East. The future of the Middle East is the defining challenge of our time. Therefore, the struggle for Iraq is about the future of the world. We must succeed. We will succeed! Failure is not an option.”

Iraq and U.S. officials toured the newly-renovated Al Huriya Youth Center in Baghdad March 25.
Among those participating were U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, Iraq Olympic Committee President Ahmed Al-Samarrai and Iraq Minister of Youth and Sports Talib Aziz Zaini.

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