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Courage, friendship, bridging divides, eliminating barriers; sports often provide an arena for them all. Look no further than the “Christmas Truce” of 1914. Amidst the horrors and brutal hardships of World War I, British and German soldiers called a truce on Christmas Eve. Mortal enemies came together as friends for a day, burying their dead, caroling, exchanging gifts and playing soccer. More recently, the “world’s game” has resurfaced in another unlikely and dangerous place, and it continues to showcase its capacity to inspire.
United States military forces currently assigned to Forward Operating Base (FOB) Airborne in the Wardak Province of Afghanistan are working to transition power to the Afghan National Army and Police Force by the end of 2014. Throughout the war, Wardak has been considered extremely dangerous, likely related to its strategic importance for insurgents as a main route of access to the capital city of Kabul. Despite harsh surroundings, the Spartan Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) are doing their best to improve morale with the creation of the Airborne Premiere Soccer League:
The Spartan Soldiers have said their unit has many soccer enthusiasts and at first played a series of pick-up games on the base. Teams from every entity on the base participated, including U.S. and Romanian Special Forces, as well as Afghan nationals working on the installation. After the success of the initial games, the Spartans founded the league.
Currently in its third season, the league has grown to eleven teams playing three evenings a week for ten weeks at an indoor facility on the base. While previous attempts have been made to form leagues in other sports, interest levels would not support them. The Spartans found that soccer, on the other hand, “is the world’s game. In pretty much every corner of the globe you go to, you’re going to find people playing it.”
Talent levels range, with the friendly nature of the games encouraging those who have never played before to try. Although friendly and fun, the competitive spirit still thrives and more skilled players, such as Sergeant Jan Guenther and Fardi “Lucky” Haidary, enjoy league play, as well. Guenther grew up playing in Germany, and Haidary, an Afghan civilian working as a linguist for the U.S. military, previously played for the Afghan national team.
Players in the Airborne Premiere League include military personnel, contractors and civilians (Photo: dvidshub.net)Players in the Airborne Premiere League include military personnel, contractors and civilians (Photo: dvidshub.net)
Despite the varied backgrounds and skill levels of the players, all parties involved value the camaraderie and friendships that form. While the fitness benefits of playing are obvious, the players also report that league play has improved relationships in day-to-day operations, created a more cohesive team, given rise to easier and more efficient communication – in addition to being a fun way to pass the time and to build strong friendships with the nationals.
While the Airborne Premier Soccer League is an organized league, pick-up soccer games involving international military, contractors and civilians are nothing new. While stationed in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2006, Major Meghan Cumpston (currently an instructor of international relations at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point) fondly recalled playing pick-up games with the Afghan, American and British forces and the extreme skills of those playing.
Additionally, at FOB Walton in Afghanistan, the Bosnian Military Police Battalion and the U.S. 115th Military Police Battalion out of Maryland held a friendly soccer game on Kandahar Airfield on August 14, 2013. After the Bosnians won, the two teams enjoyed watching the U.S. Men’s National Team take on Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Regardless of politics, finding common ground is the first step to a better future. These soccer games in Afghanistan are opening new channels of communication and creating international goodwill. Best wishes for a fine season to the teams of the Airborne Premier Soccer League.
