Sadr City opens parks, sports complex in former Special Group bastion

Photo By Staff Sgt. Zachary Mott | An Iraqi child breaks from the group as he dashes across the newly built sidewalk inside the Faoo Family Park in Baghdad's Sadr City District, Jan. 17. The park, which was once used to launch rocket attacks into central Baghdad, was refurbished and returned to the Iraqi people following a nearly $500,000 project. A grand opening ceremony was hosted there, Jan. 17.  

SADR CITY, IRAQ

01.18.2009

Story by Sgt. Zachary Mott 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

By Sgt. Zach Mott
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

SADR CITY, Iraq – As rockets crashed down in central Baghdad nine months ago, Special Groups criminals roamed the areas once intended for children to frolic and athletic endeavors to be achieved in Sadr City.

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 for 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, weight room and wrestling room.

"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, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, which is currently attached to 3rd BCT, 4th Infantry Division, 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 Special Groups in Sadr City.

The events concluded with a short ceremony, during which Col. John Hort, a Fayetteville, N.C., native, threw down a challenge to his Iraqi counterparts in attendance.

"I challenge anybody in this room to a wrestling match and a football match – Jaysh Iraqi versus the coalition. That's the future," said Hort, who commands the 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

• Date Taken: 01.18.2009
• Date Posted: 01.18.2009 08:45
• Story ID: 28981
• Location: SADR CITY, IQ