The spirit of soccer
Organization uses soccer to raise awareness of mines among students in Dukan
DUKAN, January 19 – An American non-profit organization has taken a unique approach to raising awareness about mines among students in Sulaymaniyah’s Dukan district.
The Spirit of Soccer organization gathered dozens of school children on a sports field to use games as a way to teach about the perils of landmines and explosive remnants of war.
Founded in 1996 in the United States, Spirit of Soccer aims to deliver messages of awareness and prevention to children and, subsequently, to the broader community through activity.
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Despite ongoing teacher strikes in the area, the organization has continued its awareness initiatives in the villages surrounding Dukan district, expanding its efforts over the past three years.
According to Tanya Ahmad, a member of the organization’s Sulaymaniyah team, the group’s objective is to use the universal appeal of soccer to effectively communicate the importance of mine safety.
Over the course of the past three years, the Spirit of Soccer has organized more than 30 activities in Dukan and other districts.
According to the General Agency for Mine Affairs, a total of 10 individuals lost their lives to landmines 2023, with an additional 13 sustaining injuries.
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