2007 press releases
Children of Sulaimaniyah Province played their first-ever game of baseball
November 22, 2007
Sulaimaniyah— Children of Sulaimaniyah Province played their first-ever game of baseball at a friendly game sponsored by the U.S. Government.
Children from two local schools and an orphanage displayed the skills that they learned during a five-day sports camp called “Baseball Beyond Borders” for Sulaimaniyah youth. The camp aimed to promote mutual understanding and friendship between the people of the United States and the people of Iraq.
Dana Ahmed Majeed, Governor of Sulaimaniyah Province, threw the first pitch of Thursday’s game at Sulaimaniyah Stadium, a traditional gesture reserved for dignitaries at American baseball games.
“I think I like this game, although it is new to the region, “Governor Dana Ahmed Majeed said. “I hope that children will play baseball in the future and it will result in good friendships and relations between the Iraqi Kurdish and American peoples.” “Baseball is an important part of American culture and society. It is a sport that many Americans grow up playing. I am happy that we could share this experience,” said Steven Valdez, Chief of Staff for the Regional Reconstruction Team of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. “I am happy to see baseball serving as a bridge between our societies and as a sign of peace, friendship and mutual understanding.”
The baseball equipment will be donated to local schools.
“Baseball Beyond Borders” received support from the Embassy of the United States of America, the Sulaimaniyah Governor’s Office, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Ministry of Education, the KRG Ministry of Sports and Youth, the U.S. 431st Civil Affairs Team, the Regional Reconstruction Team of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (RRT), Millennium Relief and Development Services, and Generation Iraq.