Basque Pelota gains foothold in Iraq, hundreds of players begin training

BAGHDAD — A unique Spanish sport known as “Basque Pelota” is making its way into Iraq, with hundreds of players now training across the country. Player Abbas Mohammed reported that he has obtained the necessary international approvals to officially introduce Basque Pelota to Iraq, but is still awaiting a final decision from Iraqi Olympic Committee Chairman Aqil Al-Muftin.

Basque Pelota, a game of Spanish origin similar to squash or tennis, is played with a leather or rubber ball and a specialized paddle, often using one hand against a wall. The sport dates back to the mid-18th century, with official competitions beginning in the 1920s. Today, about 100 players are training at Al-Hussein Club in Baghdad’s Jamila area, thanks to club chairman Kamel Zghair, along with another 150 players in Basra, Najaf, and Anbar.

“This game was invented in Spain and was soon played in countries like France, Argentina, and Mexico. It is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and can be played by both men and women, as it’s safe and based on physical strength,” said Abbas Mohammed, founder of Basque Pelota in Iraq, to 964media. “I decided to bring the game to Iraq after discussions with the Asian Committee chairman, and it is now expanding in several governorates. We train at Al-Hussein Club, though we lack essential equipment like gloves, paddles, and the specific ball, so we currently use a rubber ball and play barehanded.”

Sajad Mohammed, head of Iraq’s Basque Pelota Committee, also spoke to 964media, saying, “After contacting the international federation, we received official approval to bring the game to Iraq. We then submitted an official request to Dr. Aqil Al-Muftin, head of the Olympic Committee, and we hope for his approval so this sport can spread throughout Iraq.”

Player Ali Jawad shared his excitement about the sport’s growth, saying, “We’ve been training for over a month, eagerly awaiting official approval. It would mean a lot to us to represent Iraq on the international stage in future tournaments. We’re very grateful to Mr. Kamel Zghair, chairman of Al-Hussein Club, for providing us this space for training.”