SUBJECT: SADR CITY YOUTH SPORTS NGO TEACHES

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 004957

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/12/2015
TAGS: PGOV PINR IZ
SUBJECT: SUBJECT: SADR CITY YOUTH SPORTS NGO TEACHES
MORALS AS WELL AS SPORTS


Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY POLITICAL COUNSELOR ROBERT S. FORD FOR
REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: In meeting last month, Sadr City DAC
member Mohammad Abdullah Shamikh told PolOff his NGO, The
Sport Parliament of Sadr City, is responsible for teaching
approximately 5,000 youth in 25 different sports schools
about morals and sports. Some of his former students have
gone on to represent Iraq in international competitions
such as the Olympic Games. He claimed his organization,
which has about 2,700 adult members, is free of Sadrist
influence and teaches youth to eschew violence. Shamikh
asked for Embassy support in his endeavors. END SUMMARY.

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Possibly A Force For Good
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2. (SBU) Shamikh told PolOff that The Sport Parliament of
Sadr City relies on volunteers, most of whom are teachers
and university professors by profession, to instruct the
students in a variety of different sports. Students come
to his schools for two hours sessions with the first hour
devoted to lessons on morality. Topics include respecting
one's parents and elders, loyalty to one's community,
honesty, personal hygiene, and eschewing violence. During
the second hour the youth play sports.


3. (C) Shamikh said he is able to run his NGO without
Sadrist interference because many Sadrists feel that
activities such as sports, which are not done in Allah's
name, are a waste of time. Sadrists, he said, generally
have no love of sports. Shamikh said that by influencing
youth to eschew violence and engage in athletics, he is
able to convince them not to join violent groups such as
the Jaysh al Mahdi.

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In Need Of Resources
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4. (SBU) Shamikh told PolOff that his organization is in
need of resources. He requested Embassy assistance in
constructing sports facilities, such as stadiums, providing
uniforms and equipment, and instructing the youth. He said
that without assistance, the next generation of Sadr City
youth may fall under the influence of undesirable elements.
MNF-I visited the organization's headquarters and donated
soccer equipment as part of the "Send A Smile" program.
MNF-I has also expressed interest in helping the Sadr City
Sports Parliament pursue avenues to renovate its
facilities. To date, over USD 670,000 has been spent on
sports-related projects in Baghdad.
KHALILZAD