From landfill to tennis hub: Diyala center nurtures young players

DIYALA — A tennis training center in Baqubah has grown from a former landfill into a hub for aspiring players since its establishment in 2016, with rising participation among girls and young women.

Majid Khalil, head of the Diyala Tennis Federation and the center’s director, said tennis has deeper roots in the governorate than many residents realize. “Tennis is one of the older sports in Diyala,” he told 964media. “Its beginnings date back to the period when a Danish company was building the iron bridge, when foreign workers established courts inside their residential compounds. Residents of Diyala later became familiar with the game and played it alongside expatriates returning from abroad.” He credited several figures with establishing the sport over past decades, including Star Fita, the late Mahmoud Aisha and Rashid Mudhar.

The center itself rose from a trash dump. “The current center was established in 2016 on a site that was previously used as a landfill,” Khalil said. “Work began through self-funded efforts to remove debris, clean the area and transform it into courts suitable for training and competitions.” It now accepts trainees from age four through adulthood, with programs tailored to each age group. “The game requires patience and a long period of preparation to produce a player capable of competing,” he said.

Players described balancing training with their studies. Abdul Hamid Mohammed, who practices five days a week, said he recently finished third in Iraq at a Baghdad tournament. “I succeeded in balancing both,” he said. “The competition was strong and included distinguished players.” Lana Safaa said her sessions begin with wall practice and fitness work before training matches, while Hudhaifa Luay said he has competed in two tournaments and hopes to represent Iraq internationally. Zainab Zaid said she trains daily after schoolwork, learning serves and forehand and backhand shots, and Wadaq Khalid, who has played for four years, said she hopes to become Iraq’s champion. “Continuous training has helped me master several basic skills, and I continue working to achieve my sporting ambitions,” she said.

Khalil said the sport had endured in Diyala despite limited support, with players including Noor Majid, Naba Abbas Ayiz and former player Nahida al-Kawaz representing Iraq. He said women had driven much of the governorate’s success. “The social reality still affects the level of girls’ participation compared with some other governorates,” he said. “However, female players in Diyala have achieved accomplishments over recent years. Most of the successes recorded by the governorate in tennis have come through the women’s side.”