ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Love of the “beautiful game” brings together peoples and cultures the world over – so why not Iraq’s Arabs and Kurds? Players who took part in Saturday’s friendly at Erbil’s Franso Hariri Stadium hailed the spirt of peaceful coexistence following years of political tension.
Arab and Kurdish players from Iraq and the Region’s local clubs and the national team took part in the friendly, with Kurdish players competing as their own national side.
While the Iraqis played in their usual green strip, the Kurds donned red and white. They drew 2-2.
Both the Arab and Kurdish players described the match as “historic”, marking the first time the two national teams have competed within the same country.
Mohammed Khoshnaw, who played on the Kurdish side, said the match sets a precedent and should be held every year.
“It is a great feeling for the Kurdish players to play under the name of Kurdistan,” he said, adding the match “shows the world we are a nation that loves sports.”
Samir Saeed, who played on the Iraqi side, described the two teams as “one family”.
“We are here today to make all Iraqis happy,” he said.
Iraqi players in green and Kurdish players in white and red pose for a group photograph at Erbil's Franso Hariri Stadium, April 20, 2019. Photo: Mohammed Shwani / Rudaw
Luai Salah, the former captain of the Iraqi national side who earlier played for Erbil Football Club, told Rudaw: “I was thrilled to return to Erbil.”
Samir Babo, who plays for Erbil FC, called the game “a great opportunity to see our old friends” and to spread the message of peaceful co-existence.
The friendly is a far cry from the hostilities of recent years. Relations between the Iraqi federal government and the Kurdistan Region reached their lowest ebb in late 2017, leading to ethnic tensions.
Baghdad launched a military offensive against Kurdish Peshmerga forces in the disputed territories just weeks after Kurds voted by a huge margin to break away from federal Iraq in a non-binding referendum.
This was followed by an air embargo on the Kurdistan Region’s airports.
Tensions were already high between Erbil and Baghdad over oil and gas sales, the federal budget, and the disputed territories.
Relations have now vastly improved since Adil Abdul-Mahdi became Iraqi prime minister.
This spirit of good sportsmanship between Iraqi and Kurdish leaders can only be helped by shared cultural events.
Saturday’s friendly was intended to coincidence with a new national day – Kurdistan Sports Day. However, the occasion is yet to be officially recognized by the Kurdistan regional parliament.
Jalal Parishan, a Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) lawmaker and deputy head of the Sports and Youth Committee, said he and his colleague would throw their weight behind the initiative to recognize April 20 as Kurdistan Sports Day.