BAGHDAD — While car bombings and militant attacks that once plagued Baghdad have significantly diminished, many young people in the city still express a sense of limited opportunities. Once a city of chaos following the fall of Saddam Hussein and during the intense conflict against the Islamic State group, Baghdad is slowly moving towards recovery.
Baghdad, home to nearly 9 million residents, has seen plans aimed at revitalizing public parks and cultural areas take root. However, initiatives specifically catering to youth have been largely neglected until recently. There appears to be a shift in this trend following the opening of the city’s first skate park over the weekend. The event drew attention from foreign diplomats, sports representatives, and local athletes, marking a hopeful beginning for more spaces devoted to recreation and artistic expression.
“I’ve dreamed of this moment for five years,” expressed 19-year-old Mohammed Al-Qadi, one of the initial visitors to the park. Like many other skateboarders in the capital, Al-Qadi previously practiced in locations such as Al-Zawraa Park and Abu Nawas Street, where skateboarders often had to evade authorities, navigate around traffic, and deal with uneven surfaces that posed safety hazards. “We were frequently forced to relocate or faced injury due to the lack of suitable venues,” he recounted. “Now that we have a secure area, I am optimistic that this is only the start.”
The skate park, positioned within the Ministry of Youth and Sports compound near Al-Shaab International Stadium, was established in just three weeks with assistance from the German and French embassies. The development signals a rising interest from the international community in enhancing Iraq’s sports facilities, particularly for activities outside the traditionally popular soccer. Al-Qadi and fellow enthusiasts are actively advocating for the creation of a national skating federation that may enable Iraqis to participate in international events, including the Olympics. “Currently, we have 25 male and female skaters, but I believe the number will grow with this new park,” he added.
The park has also inspired female skaters, despite societal challenges regarding women’s involvement in a sport perceived as rough and hazardous. “Now that we finally have a proper place to train, I’m eager to compete internationally,” said 23-year-old Rusul Azim, who attended the event dressed in sportswear and a hijab. Although skating remains less popular in Iraq compared to soccer and other mainstream activities, Azim is hopeful that the park will inspire more youth, particularly women, to engage in the sport.
Zainab Nabil, 27, also attended the park’s opening, despite familial disapproval of her skating pursuits. “I’m here to demonstrate that women can excel in this sport too,” she stated, adding, “I hope there will be designated days for women and men, making it more comfortable for girls to participate.”
Currently, the opening of the skate park is a modest yet pivotal advancement toward providing the youth of Iraq a dedicated space for creativity and activity. Many hope this will be just the first of many similar projects. “We require more spaces like this—safe environments where young people can be active, express themselves, and aspire to greater heights,” Al-Qadi concluded.
