By Erin Block
Washington File Staff Writer
Washington -- An Iraqi boxer and his American coach are headed to Athens not just to compete for a medal, but also to be "ambassadors of freedom," said the duo. Najaf Ali, a 24-year-old boxer from Iraq, will proudly raise his country's flag at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. "Representing my country, especially now with a free Iraq, I consider this the biggest thing in my life," said Ali. Ali's coach, Maurice "Termite" Watkins, will be at his ringside. Watkins, a retired professional boxer, was in Iraq as a pest control expert during the spring of 2003. He was asked by Mike Gfoeller, a Coalition Provisional Authority official, what the chances were of putting together a boxing team from Iraq. Watkins, laughing, said maybe one in a million. But the team came together. Twenty-four young men came into Baghdad for the first practice. They put their gloves on and started hitting each other, noses started bleeding, mouths were bloody and Coach Termite had to put an end to it. "They didn't have helmets or mouth guards and half of them didn't have shoes," said Watkins. The team said they didn't know any other way. On the first day of practice Watkins told the team that they had a slim chance of making it to the Olympics, but said to also remember that anything is possible. "I told them we are going to the Olympics. We will make it happen," said Watkins. The Iraqi boxing team ultimately got its chance in a million in form of Najaf Ali. Ali was granted a wildcard entry into the 2004 Olympic Summer Games based upon his recent performances. He will be the only boxer representing Iraq in Athens, where he will compete in the 48-kilogram (106 pounds) weight class. Thanks to a partnership between the U.S. Department of State, the International Olympic Committee and the U.S. Olympic Committee, Ali and other Iraqi athletes were brought to the United States to train for the 2004 summer games. Ali spent one month this summer training with the United States Olympic Boxing Team at Colorado Springs. It was the first time he had the chance to train in a quality facility with equipment and support. "They have made me feel very welcome and a part of their team," said Ali. Coach Watkins said that the boxing team and the U.S. Olympic Committee gave him equipment and clothes and welcomed him as one of their own. "There's a relationship there that is very special to Najaf. He has never had that," said Watkins. Ali talked about trying to be an Iraqi athlete in the past. "There was little support, and we couldn't really travel outside of Iraq to box. There wasn't the freedom to compete because you would only think about being in trouble if you did poorly," said Ali. "But now it's very supportive and I am able to fight for my country as a boxer." Iraq is sending 25 athletes, including Ali, to this summer's Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. The Iraqi Olympic Team has grown significantly since 2000, when it sent four athletes to Sydney, Australia. The 2004 athletes will compete in soccer, swimming, track and field, tae kwon do, boxing and weightlifting. "It's not about winning now, it's about going. It's about the freedom to go and about seeing that flag raised high," said Watkins. "That will be the icing on the cake to see their flag raised high and know that Iraq is back." As far as the chances of Ali winning the gold medal, his coach says, "Najaf has had 37 fights and most Olympians have had 200-300. But if he is on and he fights like he can fight, he can win gold. And that's all I hear him talking about." Ali himself is confident. "Watch me in the Olympics, I am going for the gold," he said. Ali and Watkins left for Athens August 5, and the boxer's first match is scheduled for August 18. |
