Sports Director Cuts Ribbons for Girls High School Facilities

By Spc. David Hodge

1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., Multi-National Division - Baghdad

FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq - An all-girls high school held an event to celebrate the grand opening of several sports facilities and a new generator July 16 in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad.

The Al-Manhel High School for Girls christened the additions with an exhibition volleyball game and luncheon in the Shurta community of northwest Rashid.

"I am very happy today," said Maida Ismail Majwed, the principal of the school. "This event means a lot for the girls, and I believe it made them happy. Also, this is an important event for all the women of Iraq."

The renovation effort stemmed from a partnership with the Rashid District Council, the Ministry of Education, and Coalition Forces.

Ahmed Abdullah, the Karkh II Sports Director of the Education District cuts a ribbon marking the addition of a generator for the school during a ceremony at the Al-Manhel High School for Girls July 16 in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad. Abdullah, the superintendant for more than 450 schools in the Rashid area, cut three ribbons throughout the ceremony signifying an indoor volleyball court and an outdoor basketball and volleyball court.

Capt. Thao Reed, the commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, worked closely with both parties to facilitate the improvements to the school.

Reed encouraged the Karkh II Sports Director of the Education District, Ahmed Abdullah, to establish a girls' sports program across Rashid, and advised the school board to renovate the school.

An Iraqi girl serves a volleyball at an exhibition game during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Al-Manhel High School for Girls July 16 in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad.

The ceremony showcased new additions to the school. The additions are an indoor volleyball court, an outdoor basketball and volleyball court, and a generator to supply the school with electricity.

"I am thankful for everything and will keep my experiences here today with me for the rest of my life," said Alia Ahmed, a student at the school and avid athlete.

Ahmed participated in the exhibition volleyball game and said she enjoys the chance to have fun and represent her country by participating in sports.

Before the start of a ceremony, a young Iraqi girl practices her basketball shot while her team watches from behind her July 16 in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad. During the ceremony, the Al-Manhel High School for Girls marked three new additions to their campus; an indoor volleyball court, a generator to supply power for the school, and outdoor basketball and volleyball court.

"I hope the sports stay in operation here and continue to develop for all female sports," Ahmed said.

"Each female has their own interests but sports are something that everybody likes," she added.

Ahmed, whose mother is a sports teacher, likes to play sports, but says Iraqi traditions shun against female sports.

A team of young Iraqi girls prepare for a serve during an exhibition game July 16 at the Al-Manhel High School for Girls in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad.

"I hope we are someday equal to women from other cultures," Majwed stated. "We have a lot of ambition. We just haven't had a chance to show our abilities."

"I hope this is the first step towards a glorious future," she added.

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