Latest news with #Bozo
The Courier
7 days ago
- General
- The Courier
Bozo Mikulic comeback milestone revealed as St Johnstone defender is driven on by Perth club 'love'
Bozo Mikulic could be just two months away from a major comeback milestone, St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari has revealed. The Croatian defender suffered an ACL injury in February, the second time he has needed knee surgery in his career. His recuperation is progressing well, Valakari reported. The head coach is reluctant to predict a return ahead of schedule. But the current hope and expectation is Mikulic being able to run on the McDiarmid Park training pitches by August. 'Things are going well with Bozo,' said Valakari. 'He was here for five days at the end of the season, so it was great to see the big man back. 'He is now home in Croatia and will stay there until August, working at a clinic over there with his personal trainer every day. 'It is the same clinic where he repaired his injury the last time, which is good because they know him, and he knows them, so they have a plan of exactly what he needs to do. 'It's a very high-profile place, so he is in very good hands. 'If everything goes to plan, he will be running back on the field sometime in August. 'In my mind, I am thinking Christmas with him. 'I know he will say October but even then, you need some football inside you. 'So, it's by then I think we will have the proper Bozo back on the field.' The 'proper Bozo' was a centre-half winning headers, making tackles, scoring winning goals and, all in all, making St Johnstone a far more solid defensive unit. 'How we have missed him,' Valakari admitted. 'When he was back over here, Bozo was crying because of what happened. 'This club gave football back to him. 'He wasn't playing when we signed him, and he loves it here because he's got his career back again. 'We are looking forward to that because I know Bozo – he has the kind of mentality we need in our team. 'He is a leader, he has determination, and he is desperate to help this club.'
Rudaw Net
16-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Akre mayor says over 2,000 torches prepared for Newroz
Also in Kurdistan KRG PM, PUK leader to meet in Erbil on Sunday Iraq suspends Kurdistan IDP camp mergers citing lack of funds Woman appointed acting governor of Halabja Erbil doctor arrested in connection with murder of 4 family members A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The town of Akre in Duhok province, considered the capital of Newroz, has prepared over 2,000 torches for the festival with tens of thousands expected to flock to the area to celebrate, its district mayor said Saturday. 'Newroz preparations in Akre started more than a month ago. Most of the preparations have been made and will be completed two days before Newroz,' Dilawar Bozo, Akre's district mayor, told Rudaw. 'More than 2,000 torches have been prepared.' With Newroz falling in the holy month of Ramadan this year, Bozo said that celebrations will be different. 'We will have different activities, and artists and religious singers will participate in the ceremony.' Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani will also participate, and a large tent and suhoor - the meal consumed by Muslims before fasting during Ramadan - will be prepared, according to Bozo. Kurds from all over the Kurdistan Region traditionally gather in the town of Akre to honor the ages-long tradition of lighting fires to welcome the New Year on the first day of spring. Hundreds of thousands of people from the Kurdistan Region, as well as Kurdish regions in Turkey, Iran, and Syria, will celebrate the eve of Newroz on Wednesday, also symbolizing a day of freedom from tyranny and resistance. 'This year we have built another road to the mountain, one that goes up and one that goes down, but in two different directions,' Bozo added, predicting that over 70,000 tourists will visit for the festival. Kurds celebrate Newroz on March 21-23 by picnicking in the countryside and lighting bonfires with their families and loved ones. The occasion is known as the Kurdish New Year. Celebrations and festivities are held across the Kurdistan Region with hundreds of thousands of Kurds dancing in their colorful and traditional Kurdish clothes. Solin Hamadamin contributed to this report.
Shafaq News
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Shafaq News
700 torches to ignite Akre: Newroz celebrations expanded
Shafaq News/ Authorities in Akre district in northern Iraq have begun preparations for this year's Newroz celebrations, introducing new measures to enhance the festival experience and manage large crowds. To accommodate attendees, officials are constructing an additional road leading to the summit of Akre's mountains, where the traditional fire-lighting ceremony takes place. 'Work is ongoing daily to ensure the road is completed on time,' District Governor Dlawar Bozo stated. In coordination with security forces, authorities have designated a single route to the festival site and issued a ban on celebratory gunfire. 'Firing shots in any form is strictly prohibited, and security forces will take legal action against violators,' Bozo emphasized. This year's event will feature an expanded torch-lighting ceremony, with 700 torches to be carried across Akre, more than doubling last year's count. Foreign guests are also expected to attend. Preparations began in early March, with teams organized to carry the Newroz flames to hilltops surrounding the town. 'The local administration has mobilized eight volunteer groups for this effort, and a large stage has been set up for performances,' said Akre's director of culture, Delshad Ali. Fireworks displays are planned at three locations: Akre Castle, Rize Miri, and the old fortress. 'This year's event will be different from previous ones, with exciting surprises in store,' Ali noted. What is Newroz? Newroz, celebrated on March 21, marks the arrival of spring and holds cultural and historical significance in Kurdish tradition. The festival is associated with the legend of Kawa the Blacksmith, a figure believed to have led a rebellion against the tyrant King Zuhaq. According to tradition, Kawa's victory was marked by lighting fires on mountaintops, a practice that continues today. Akre has gained a reputation for hosting one of the most prominent Newroz celebrations in the Kurdistan Region. The festival features traditional Kurdish music, dance, and a torch-bearing procession up the mountains, drawing thousands of visitors each year. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) recognizes Newroz as a major national celebration. In addition to attracting local crowds, the festival also brings foreign dignitaries and officials, highlighting its growing international presence.
