Afghan coach brings parkour to Najaf, inspiring youth with discipline and agility

NAJAF — In a city known for its religious heritage, Dawood Al-Husseini, an Afghan coach residing in Iraq, is introducing the youth of Najaf to the physically demanding sport of parkour. Al-Husseini has attracted around 30 young boys and teens to train in the discipline, which involves navigating obstacles through jumping, climbing, and maneuvering without the use of equipment.

Parkour is about using the body’s abilities—running, jumping, climbing, vaulting, and rolling—to efficiently overcome urban and natural obstacles. Originally developed in France in the late 1980s by David Belle, parkour focuses on fluidity, grace, speed, and control, rather than just strength or acrobatics.

Despite its risks, such as leaping from heights, Al-Husseini has found a safe space for his athletes at the Sabih Al-Karawi Forum in Najaf, where participants practice strength exercises like pull-ups, squats, and push-ups before advancing to more complex maneuvers. “Once they reach a certain level of body strength, they start learning landing techniques and rolling along with the jumping manoeuvres,” he told 964media.

Al-Husseini’s goal is to help these young athletes represent Iraq in international competitions. “I hope to develop their skills and empower them to participate internationally, achieving success after gaining physical flexibility and self-confidence,” he added.

Though parkour is not an Olympic sport, it has a global federation that organizes regular competitions. Al-Husseini proudly noted his team’s first-place win in a recent Baghdad competition. His athletes, ranging from ages 8 to 12, include university students who also train with him.

The coach emphasized that parkour can help steer young people away from negative influences. “The goal of these exercises is to keep the youth and adolescents away from drugs and negative issues, and to channel their energy into this sport,” he said.

Despite its growing popularity, parkour in Iraq faces challenges. “Professional athletes in this sport are few due to the lack of trainers and the limited size of sports halls for certain moves,” Al-Husseini explained.

One of Al-Husseini’s students, Abdullah Amer, shared his excitement for the sport. “The beginning was about discovering individual sports and learning to overcome fears. There are exercises that increase flexibility,” he said, expressing hopes to represent Iraq in international competitions. “Self-confidence is the most important factor in succeeding in parkour. Coach Dawood is like a father to us, instilling the ability to perform and develop our skills.”