Najaf hosts Iraq’s first orienteering championship

NAJAF — Iraq’s first national orienteering championship was held this week in the gardens of the University of Kufa, drawing 75 competitors between the ages of 8 and 85.

Afrah Baqir, a member of the women’s committee for the sport, told 964media the event was organized by the Iraqi Federation for Orienteering in cooperation with the university’s College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences. “The championship brought together clubs from inside and outside Najaf, including Fatat Karbala and Akkad,” she said. Competitors were divided into categories for under and over 30, as well as school-age groups.

Orienteering requires participants to follow a sequence of marked points using a map and compass. “In the past, people used stars and the moon for guidance, but now we use the compass,” said Kadhimiya Khudair, head of Fatat Karbala Club. “Each contestant is given a map with directions and points. If you go to point two before point one, you are wrong. This sport is often played in forests, and what makes it special is that it has no age limits—anyone from 8 to 85 can participate.”

Khudair said the federation has staged earlier events as interest grows. “I also competed in the first Arab Championship in Algeria, where I won a gold medal and a bronze in my category. In Iraq, I achieved first place, and I also coach the national cross-ball team,” she said.

Several Karbala winners described the Najaf contest as both demanding and rewarding. “We played for more than an hour and a half and managed to win first place for Fatat Karbala Club. It was tough but enjoyable, although I got injured while running,” said Zainab Ali. Teammate Zahraa Mazen added, “The competition was fun despite the exhaustion, and the most important thing is that we came first.”