THE IRAQI FOUNDATION FOR SPORT + PEACE
is an Iraqi-founded and Iraqi-registered charity that raises money to:
Supply money and sporting goods, such as footballs, racquets, tennis balls, ski boots and track shoes to to engage youth in sports, specifically tennis, football, skiing and long-distance running.
Support new facilities as they are built and engage international expertise in ensuring the highest possible standards are achieved.
Provide first class international coaching for a variety of coaches to emulate and pass forward.
Increase organisational capacity and the delivery of sports throughout Iraq by helping to organising tournaments and competitions.
Give refugees in camps across Iraq an opportunity to build a life outside and stay away from extremism and other social ills.
Members of the Darashakran Ski Club ascend a hill in the Zagros mountains of Northern Iraq.
Three young members of Iraqi/Kurd Tennis Team at a Thursday night practice session.
THE REFUGEE RUN + Ski CLUBs
The Refugee Run + Ski Clubs takes girls and boys out of the Darakshakran + Hassan Sham refugee camps where they spend most of their days for running and skiing excursions. Supported by the Erbil Marathon charity and Visit Iraqi Kurdistan, these clubs aim to help girls and boys improve their fitness, learn dedication and discipline and provide them with alternatives to jihadist groups or other destructive forces.
Iraqi/Kurd TENNIS TEAM
The Iraqi/Kurd Tennis Team supports youth who want to advance in tennis and travel abroad to an academy, potentially play at U.S. universities or join the international tour through money and the supply of equipment, such as tennis balls, modern tennis racquets, shoes and clothing. The Iraqi/Kurd team also intends to foster the rebirth of racquet sports in Iraq by rebuilding courts, orgnaising pro-level competitions and providing youth with training for jobs in the industry.
Refugee children say hello at the Hassan Sham camp just outside Mosul. The camp has been open for Iraqi IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) since 2016, but little opportunity exists from them anywhere. Most have been born here and some will live out their days here.