Building a future for local women's sport
Sisters from Sulaymaniyah train to become Iraq’s next handball stars
SULAYMANIYAH — Koshan and Sewin, two sisters from Sulaymaniyah, are training alongside their father, determined to become professional handball players. Their father, Kurdo Abdulqader, a seasoned handball coach, supports their ambitions and hopes to bring joy to his daughters through the sport he loves.
Kurdo, who is pursuing a PhD in sports science at the University of Sulaymaniyah, has established a handball training center for girls aged 8 to 20. His goal is to develop a top-tier group of young female players. “Our main goal is to create an exemplary team for Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan, and Iraq. With the help of God, we aim to form a team that can even compete with teams from neighboring countries,” Kurdo told 964media.
His daughters, Koshan and Sewin, practice at the center three times a week. Sewin, 11, shared, “I have been playing handball for a year and seven months. We come to practice three times a week with my dad and older sister. My dad also encourages me to train at home every day. I hope to become a good player at the national level in Iraq,” she told 964media.
Last year, Kurdo coached the Kirkuk Fatat Team, which became Iraq’s top handball team. Prior to that, he played and coached at the Sulaymaniyah Handball Club, earning multiple titles. Now, he aims to inspire a new generation of players and build a strong women’s handball community in Iraq.
The handball training center, the only one in Iraq dedicated to young girls, is gaining popularity, with many eager to make a name for themselves in the sport. Sozan Ali, a player at the center, said, “When I started, I was at a basic level and knew little about the sport. But I thank my coach for bringing me to this high level. We aim to compete in Iraq’s handball championships and achieve great results.”
The training center is unique in nurturing talent from a young age. Ghala Naseeh, an eight-year-old trainee, said, “I have been training here for six months. I love playing handball.”
Kurdo’s dedication as both a coach and a father may soon put Sulaymaniyah on the handball map, as a growing group of skilled female athletes prepares to make their mark.
Darbandikhan athlete rises as local volleyball star with unwavering support from her father
Sulaymaniyah residents can access gyms free of charge
Video: Sulaymaniyah hosts an equestrian festival
