German-Kurdish football club rises to success
Kurdish language teacher uses puppet and play to motivate students
US Congress hosts first Assyrian Martyrs' Day ceremony
I don't want a celebration
Sweden Kurdish magazine aims to promote Kurdish literature
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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - SV Azadi, a Kurdish football club in Germany, has gained attention for its rapid rise in German football, evolving from a dream shared by friends into a team that now attracts Kurdish players from around the world through long-term goals to expand its activities.
"There was no Kurdish community like this before, there was no place for Kurds to gather and get to know each other, so we founded the Azadi team. We wanted to create a home for Kurds, so they could get closer and build relationships, a place that would be special for Kurds," Azad Miran, founder and player of the SV Azadi, told Rudaw's Diaspora program that aired on Friday.
Founded in 2016 by three friends in Germany, the Kurdish football team SV Azadi has risen through the ranks to reach the Verbandsliga, the sixth-tier league in the German football system.
It has become a symbol of community, cultural identity, and sporting success in the diaspora.
Miran emphasized that SV Azadi aims to become the 'biggest Kurdish sports team in Germany,' with goals of securing its own stadium and achieving full infrastructural independence.
SV Azadi player Aland Khalil described the Kurdish team as a 'family,' saying, 'We are friends and brothers to each other, and if any of us has a problem, we all help together.'
Born from the dream of three friends, SV Azadi brought together Kurdish players from all four parts of Kurdistan - Turkey, Iran, Syria, and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq - embarking on a remarkable journey of unity and success.
With challenges they are facing such as verbal harassment and insults from other teams, the team's coach Niwar Jasim said, 'It's important to control yourself, be strong and not listen to them, just focus on the game.'
"Our plan is to gradually start creating youth and children's teams. For our first team, I hope in the next five years we reach the Oberliga level, which is the fifth tier of the German league system," he noted.
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Rudaw Net
27-07-2025
- Rudaw Net
German-Kurdish football club rises to success
Also in Culture Kurdish language teacher uses puppet and play to motivate students US Congress hosts first Assyrian Martyrs' Day ceremony I don't want a celebration Sweden Kurdish magazine aims to promote Kurdish literature A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - SV Azadi, a Kurdish football club in Germany, has gained attention for its rapid rise in German football, evolving from a dream shared by friends into a team that now attracts Kurdish players from around the world through long-term goals to expand its activities. "There was no Kurdish community like this before, there was no place for Kurds to gather and get to know each other, so we founded the Azadi team. We wanted to create a home for Kurds, so they could get closer and build relationships, a place that would be special for Kurds," Azad Miran, founder and player of the SV Azadi, told Rudaw's Diaspora program that aired on Friday. Founded in 2016 by three friends in Germany, the Kurdish football team SV Azadi has risen through the ranks to reach the Verbandsliga, the sixth-tier league in the German football system. It has become a symbol of community, cultural identity, and sporting success in the diaspora. Miran emphasized that SV Azadi aims to become the 'biggest Kurdish sports team in Germany,' with goals of securing its own stadium and achieving full infrastructural independence. SV Azadi player Aland Khalil described the Kurdish team as a 'family,' saying, 'We are friends and brothers to each other, and if any of us has a problem, we all help together.' Born from the dream of three friends, SV Azadi brought together Kurdish players from all four parts of Kurdistan - Turkey, Iran, Syria, and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq - embarking on a remarkable journey of unity and success. With challenges they are facing such as verbal harassment and insults from other teams, the team's coach Niwar Jasim said, 'It's important to control yourself, be strong and not listen to them, just focus on the game.' "Our plan is to gradually start creating youth and children's teams. For our first team, I hope in the next five years we reach the Oberliga level, which is the fifth tier of the German league system," he noted.
Rudaw Net
19-07-2025
- Rudaw Net
Duhok crowned Iraq Cup champions
Also in Iraq Iraq launches security operation after drone attacks UK condemns drone attacks in Kurdistan Region Iraq launches probe into Wasit mall fire that killed 63 Iraq holds nationwide mourning after mall blaze kills 61 A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Duhok SC won the Iraq Cup on Friday, beating out another Kurdish team, Zakho SC. This is the first time a Kurdish club has won the title since the cup's establishment in 1948. The historic achievement will allow Duhok SC to play in AFC Champions League Two. Both teams are also now eligible for the Iraq Super League. Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani congratulated both clubs for their achievements, adding that the Kurdistan Region is proud of them. Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani also congratulated the teams. The match was goalless, leading to a penalty shootout that ended 5-3. Erbil Sports Club was the first Kurdish club to make it to the final of the Iraq Cup in 2023 but failed to win the title following a dramatic defeat by al-Quwa al-Jawiya, one of Iraq's oldest football teams.
Iraqi News
07-07-2025
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Emotional Norris wins epic rain-hit British Grand Prix
Silverstone – An emotional Lando Norris boosted his world title bid in memorable fashion on Sunday when he drove to a commanding rain-splashed victory ahead of McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri in a chaotic British Grand Prix. The 25-year-old Briton made the most of series leader Piastri's mid-race misfortune, when he was given a 10-second penalty for slowing excessively while leading behind the safety car, to finish 6.8112 seconds clear. It was his first home win, his fourth win of the year and the eighth of his career, lifting him within eight points of the Australian. 'Thank you, McLaren, thanks everyone,' said Norris. 'This is beautiful. Winning at home. This is a dream.' Nico Hulkenberg finished a stirring third for Sauber to claim the first podium appearance of his long career after 239 races. 'It feels good,' the veteran German said. 'A long time coming! But we had it in us and I had it in me somewhere. It's pretty surreal. All a bit crazy now.' Piastri was careful not to express his disappointment at the time penalty verdict. 'I want to congratulate Nico,' he said. 'That's the best story of the day – but I don't want to say much else to avoid getting into trouble.' Norris became the 13th different home winner of the British race. Lewis Hamilton took fourth for Ferrari ahead of Red Bull's four-time champion Max Verstappen. In an epic event run in extreme and changeable weather conditions, Pierre Gasly was sixth for Alpine, ahead of Aston Martin's Lance Stroll, Williams' Alex Albon, two-time champion Fernando Alonso in the second Aston Martin and Mercedes' George Russell. On a cool and wet summer's day in central England, the race began as the sun slanted through the clouds following torrential rain, Verstappen leading a controlled formation lap behind the safety car. In F1's 75th anniversary year, it was the 1,173rd race since the inaugural world championship event at Silverstone on May 13, 1950, and with the field so closely-packed few races had been more keenly anticipated. Russell and Leclerc gambled on switching to slick tyres before the start as Verstappen led the opening lap from his 44th pole ahead of Piastri, Norris and Hamilton. RB's' Liam Lawson went off at Stowe on lap one, triggering a virtual safety car (VSC), and Franco Colapinto retired his Alpine after stalling in the pit-lane. The race re-started on lap five with Piastri hounding Verstappen before a second VSC intervention when Gabriel Bortoleto abandoned his Sauber. It was stop-go stuff with everyone waiting for more rain. After chasing him, Piastri passed Verstappen at Stowe on lap eight to lead. Verstappen then ran off at Becketts and Norris passed him before they all pitted as the rain resumed. – Blinded by spray – Norris suffered a slow stop, giving second, behind Piastri, back to Verstappen, in appalling conditions that prompted another full safety car and wiped out the Australian's 13-second advantage. 'There's water in my visor, a huge splash and I can't see,' reported Leclerc after bouncing across the grass at Becketts. Hamilton was also blinded by spray, dropping to eighth, as the field cruised through puddles. Racing resumed on lap 18 amid plumes of spray before a third full safety car was deployed when RB rookie Isack Hadjar crashed into Antonelli's Mercedes at Copse. The action re-started on lap 22 with a gripless Verstappen sliding off out of Copse as he spun, after Piastri had braked dramatically in front of him before the safety car peeled in. After a brief investigation, Piastri was given a 10-second penalty. By lap 26, and mid-race, Piastri led Norris before the Australian pitted to serve his time penalty, leaving Norris to soak up a memorable win.
