BAGHDAD, Iraq, March 4, 2004 — Opening ceremonies for the first annual Sadr City soccer tournament sponsored by the Iraqi Police Service kicked off recently.

Many of the community’s children, adults and city officials attended opening day ceremonies.

Special soccer fans guests included Col. Aumaran Moruf, Sadr City Police Chief, Lt. Col. Christopher K. Hoffman, 2nd Squadron commander and Coalition Commander for Sadr City.

The soccer tournament was sponsored by the IPF and organized by Khadim Saddam Munshid who putting together the teams and organizing the tournament. The Coalition provided funding for the teams’ new uniforms and equipment.

The Coalition provided new uniforms and shoes to many of the teams playing in the tournament. There has also been a large supply of soccer balls donated by a well known sporting clothing and equipment manufacturer.

The tournament consists of 20 Sadr City teams competing in a series of games played on various soccer fields within the city.

The tournament is scheduled to last a couple of weeks and will conclude with a championship game.

“The Coalition is “honored to support the youth of Sadr City,” said Hoffman in his opening ceremony address to the players and the spectators present at the opening game.