Parkour makes a comeback in Babylon with opening of first training hall

HILLAH — After years of decline, the sport of parkour is making a quiet comeback in Iraq’s Babylon governorate, driven by the persistence of one coach and the launch of the region’s first dedicated training hall.

Parkour, a discipline known for its fast, agile movements across urban landscapes — involving running, climbing, vaulting, and balancing — first appeared in Iraq more than 15 years ago. It briefly gained traction in Babylon in 2015, when a group of 37 athletes trained in public spaces, including city parks and the Babylon tourist resort.

“Back in 2015, Babylon had 37 players,” said coach Hassan Saad. “Most of our training was in public parks and at the Babylon resort, but due to the lack of support from the Olympic committee, most players left the sport.”

Saad continued practicing alone for years before opening Babylon’s first parkour hall, located in the Mashtah area of central Hillah. The hall, which opened last month, currently hosts 25 trainees, ranging in age from five to over 40.

“We started training about a month ago, and I’ve seen promising talent with a real desire to learn,” Saad said. “We’re currently preparing to participate in the Iraq Parkour Championship that will be held this month in Najaf.”

He noted a growing interest in the sport, particularly among youth. “There’s real enthusiasm for this sport, particularly from youth. We’re working to open new halls in most districts and subdistricts to give more people the opportunity to join.”

Parkour athlete Zaid Mohammed said the new facility has already made a noticeable difference. “The hall provided an important space for fans of this sport. Even though it’s still new, it has attracted many young people,” he said. “The coach succeeded in forming a team that will represent Babylon in the Iraq championship in Najaf.”

He added, “The coach’s efforts revived parkour from zero and gave it a place among other sports despite the lack of support.”

Another athlete, Sadiq Mushtaq, said he began practicing after watching videos online. “I started doing some moves in the park based on what I saw on social media,” he said. “After the hall opened, I contacted the coach and started attending training sessions.”

“Even though I’ve only been training in the hall for about a month, I’ve benefited a lot, and I’m determined to reach a good level in this sport,” Mushtaq said.