In Iraq, Little People Football Team Dreams Big

Dwarfism is a medical or genetic condition that results in stature below four foot, 10 inches, according to Little People of America, a support organisation Ahmad AL-RUBAYE AFP
Dwarfism is a medical or genetic condition that results in stature below four foot, 10 inches, according to Little People of America, a support organisation Ahmad AL-RUBAYE AFP
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In Iraq, Little People Football Team Dreams Big

Dwarfism is a medical or genetic condition that results in stature below four foot, 10 inches, according to Little People of America, a support organisation Ahmad AL-RUBAYE AFP
Dwarfism is a medical or genetic condition that results in stature below four foot, 10 inches, according to Little People of America, a support organisation Ahmad AL-RUBAYE AFP

Twice a week, a small football pitch in Iraq offers the 25-member national squad of little people a chance to fulfill dreams and tackle prejudice.

Omar Abdel Rahman's team has set its sights on an ambitious goal: to travel to Argentina for their first international tournament.

Despite modest means, the players come from across the country to train, leaving behind their daily troubles, discrimination and jibes.

"The team has changed the course of my life and that of the other players," said Abdel Rahman, who works in a Baghdad cafe where he prepares shishas, AFP reported.

"I'm good at football, but we're treated with contempt and it's impossible to play in mainstream teams," said Abdel Rahman, who stands at 1.42 metres (four foot, eight inches).

"But now everything is changing," said the forward, clad in a number nine jersey, with green socks hiked up to his knees.

The team has just returned from a friendly match in Jordan. Next year, they aim to travel to Argentina to take part in the tournament for little people.

In 2018, a "Dwarf Copa America" was held in Buenos Aires, the first of its kind.

The date of the 2022 edition has yet to be set, said Facundo Mariano Rojas, head of the Argentina-based international football federation for little people.

This will depend mainly on restrictions imposed for the coronavirus pandemic, he told AFP.

"We're also looking for financial resources to help the participating countries."

The matches will be played by seven-member teams in indoor stadiums and on futsal fields.

A key difference will be the size of the goals, fixed at 1.7 metres (about 5.6 feet) in height and two metres in width, compared to the regular 2.44 by 7.32 metres.

It was the Copa America that inspired Hussein Jalil to start up the Iraqi team in 2019.

Other players come from Arbil, Sulaymaniyah and Kirkuk in northern Iraq, from Nasiriyah in the southeast, and the eastern city of Kut.

Salah Ahmed, a 37-year-old forward, takes time off from work as a bike-repairman to attend.

"Before joining the team, I suffered from society's attitude towards little people," said the father of one.

Dwarfism is a medical or genetic condition that results in a stature below four foot, 10 inches, according to Little People of America, a support organization.

Those with the condition, who refer to themselves as little people, face several challenges when it comes to playing football.

"Some players suffer harassment in public places and on the streets," said Jalil. "But the situation is changing, football has given them more confidence."

He pointed to other problems, such as finding football kits in the right sizes in the shops, so they have had to improvise.

There are also financial difficulties. When they travel, they have to borrow money to pay for their tickets.

"Upon our return, the youth and sports ministry reimburses up to $7,000 to cover our expenses," Jalil added.

Abdel Rahman, a father of three, said the sport needs more backing.

"In other countries, a team like ours has the support of football stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi," he said.

"In Iraq, the stars of the sport don't even know that our team exists."



Saudi Arabia Announces Discovery of Largest Sea Turtle Nesting Site in Red Sea

Sea turtles play a crucial role in the ecosystem, making their survival vital for maintaining environmental balance. (SPA)
Sea turtles play a crucial role in the ecosystem, making their survival vital for maintaining environmental balance. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Announces Discovery of Largest Sea Turtle Nesting Site in Red Sea

Sea turtles play a crucial role in the ecosystem, making their survival vital for maintaining environmental balance. (SPA)
Sea turtles play a crucial role in the ecosystem, making their survival vital for maintaining environmental balance. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Organization for the Conservation of Coral Reefs and Marine Turtles in the Red Sea (SHAMS), announced the discovery of the largest sea turtle nesting site in Saudi waters, located at the Four Sisters Islands in the Red Sea.

In a statement on Saturday, SHAMS said this significant environmental discovery is part of ongoing initiatives aimed at boosting protection for sea turtles and their habitats in the Red Sea, ensuring their sustainability in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

On this occasion, CEO of SHAMS Dr. Khaled Isfahani confirmed that the Four Sisters Islands have been designated as a species management area to protect the turtles' nesting habitats. This step aligns with environmental goals and contributes to safeguarding biodiversity. These efforts are part of a broader plan to turn 30 percent of Saudi Arabia's land and sea areas into nature reserves by 2030.

The Four Sisters Islands—Marmar, Dahreb, Malathu, and Jadir—are renowned for their high concentration of sea turtle nesting sites. (SPA)

The Four Sisters Islands—Marmar, Dahreb, Malathu, and Jadir—are renowned for their high concentration of sea turtle nesting sites. To date, over 2,500 turtle nests have been recorded on these islands, establishing them as a crucial breeding ground for endangered sea turtles in the Red Sea.

Remarkably, the sea turtles consistently return to these same nesting sites each year, underscoring the vital need to preserve these areas for the survival of these species. Furthermore, the islands host an exceptional number of endangered green turtles and critically endangered hawksbill turtles, making them some of the most significant sea turtle nesting sites in the region.

Isfahani said the organization is currently developing a comprehensive management strategy to safeguard sea turtle nesting sites along the Red Sea coast. Thanks to the diligent work of SHAMS' environmental expert teams, over 180 nesting sites have been identified.

This discovery is part of SHAMS' mission to protect the unique marine life in the Red Sea. (SPA)

The plan also aims to boost sustainable tourism and entertainment opportunities around this unique marine ecosystem, he added. This initiative helps enrich the protected area and ensures that sea turtles continue to thrive in their natural habitats, promoting environmental sustainability.

This discovery is part of SHAMS' mission to protect the unique marine life in the Red Sea. Sea turtles play a crucial role in the ecosystem, making their survival vital for maintaining environmental balance. The effort aligns with the Saudi Green Initiative and Vision 2030, reflecting a national commitment to safeguarding Saudi Arabia's natural heritage and marine biodiversity.