Two-time Olympian Farouk Changchun (left) and the Iraqi boxers he trains pose with gear donated by USA Boxing for the reopening of the Adhamiyah Sports Complex in northeast Baghdad, Jan. 27. Photo by Sgt. Zachary Mott, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs.

ADHAMIYAH

Following a $200,000 facelift that was funded through commander’s emergency relief program funds, the Adhamiyah Sports Complex now boasts a remodeled boxing gym, an indoor basketball court/soccer field, administration office and a FIFA-regulation 5-on-5 Astroturf soccer field.

“Adhamiyah as a whole has been waiting for this complex to reopen for a while,” said Capt. William Murphy, a Civil Affairs team leader with Multi-National Division – Baghdad.

The Adhamiyah Sports Complex was once the training grounds for many former Iraqi Olympians. One of those former national champions, Farouk Changchun, now heads the boxing program here.

Changchun, who competed in the 1976 and 1980 Olympics, served as the flag bearer for his country during the 1980 Moscow Games. As his young protégées put on a demonstration for the crowd, Changchun gushed over the new gear donated by USA Boxing. The donation included head gear, gloves, trunks and shirts.

“We are happy to get any help in sports material and supplies from USA Boxing because it spreads the feeling of humanity everywhere,” Changchun said. “A lot of people think that boxers have very harsh feelings and a very hard heart, but it’s not true, boxers have a very kind heart.”

Changchun said he is hopeful that some of his students will one day get to represent Iraq as he was able to do twice in his lifetime.

“I’m hoping that there are future Olympians in this room,” he said.

As the boxing demonstration concluded, there was another important event at the complex. A soccer match between the predominantly Shia district of Kadhamiyah and the Sunni dominated Adhamiyah district was being played on the new Astroturf field.

“That’s the greatest accomplishment for this entire project,” Murphy said.

(Multi-National Division – Baghdad Release)