Assyrians in Bakhetme get a new soccer field

Yasmeen Altaji | December 18, 2023

The Melka Stadium’s grand opening Saturday Dec. 16, 2023. (Photo/Etuti Institute via Instagram)

A newly renovated soccer field opened in Bakhetme, a village in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq home to a dense population of Assyrians, in the latest effort by a nonprofit to enrich youth activities in the region.

The Melka Stadium, a project of the nonprofit Etuti Institute in partnership with the local Bakhetmy Youth Committee, was ushered into a new era of public use Saturday with a grand opening ceremony complete with fireworks, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a communal dinner and a soccer match that ended in victory for Bakhetme’s youth team.

Etuti began fundraising for the project in August, according to the nonprofit’s founder, Savina Dawood, who estimates the renovation cost around $27,000. Dawood said Scottsdale-based venture capital firm Melka Capital matched donations, resulting in a total of more than $50,000 for Etuti. Physical work on the project began in late October, and the field was completed on Dec. 6.

“It was magical and heartwarming to see the sparkle in the eyes around me,” Dawood told The Word in a message. “Our Assyrian nation deserve to have access to all the different aspects in life in order to live and prosper in our homeland and especially the youth.”

With more than what was needed for field repairs, Etuti has expanded the project to include a playground, bleachers and a volleyball field that Dawood said will be complete by spring next year.

According to the Shlama Foundation’s population database, Bakhetme is home to just over 400 Assyrians. Dawood said the small community lacks “the space, resources, and opportunities to work within their careers or follow their passions and dreams”. This soccer field, she said, is an opportunity to change that.

“We plan to host leagues and friendly games with other soccer teams from different villages and cities,” Dawood said. “It will bring together our Assyrian athletes on a well established soccer field.”