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Show Iraq Athletics HaveLongTale Iraq is historically athletic. Even in tha days of Babylon and Assyiia hunting and horseback horse-back riding were popular sports. Kings such as Ashur-Banipal Ashur-Banipal and Nebuchanezzar placed much value in these activities, realizing they strengthened their bodies. Paintings and drawings, of the times often featured horsemen and hunters, reflecting the attention at-tention and importance given, them by the populace. Then the Arabs came and exerted even further athletic influence. They loved life in the open air and encouraged the spread of hunting, riding and training with scimitars. During the reign of the Abas-sid Abas-sid dynasty polo was adopted, and "drek," a game similar to hockey. The first national government govern-ment of Iraq took interest in establishing athletics as required, re-quired, activity in schools. Under the British mandate many organized team games were introduced soccer, hockey, hock-ey, tennis, boxing and others and Iraqis proved apt pupils. Since 1921 the athletic movement move-ment has been growing steadily in schools and colleges despite the fact that trained instructors and equipment are scarce. 1 "t; ( ff-K kM V School tumblers at field-day. Still, sports are flourishing in private groups. In Baghdad alone there are 15 sporting clubs. And in official and semiofficial semi-official organizations such as the army, police and state railways rail-ways there is a healthy interest and movement to initiate sports activities, particularly those involving team competition. Iraqi army teams have proved themselves to be worthy opponents op-ponents in many international meets. Their forte is soccer. To continue and further this developing national sports-mindedness, sports-mindedness, the Iraqi government govern-ment is building playgrounds and athletic fields throughout the country. Sportsmen are particularly pleased that construction con-struction is soon to begin on a national stadium and "sports city," and expect that the next five years will witness a real athletic boom. |