In the heart of Darj, in the neighbourhood of Taqta, a tale unfolds weaving together the threads of resilience, community spirit and the transformative power of Baladiyati.
This is the case of the Shoumoukh Sport Club, the historical football club of the municipality.
For many years the club represented the hub where young generations would meet and interact, discuss and fantasize about their hopes and dreams for the future. However, over the years, a lack of resources and bad weather caused it to fall into disuse, interrupting the tradition. The youths of the area then, was forced to move across the neighbourhood to find a place to meet, come together and -more importantly – play football.
As resident of the municipality and Vice President of the Shumookh Club Council, Mr Abdulsalam Mohammed Ali Hassan explains that in Darj “for decades, football has been more than just a sport here, it’s been a lifesaver, a source of joy and a symbol of unity”.
When the municipality was informed of Baladiyati and its intervention under AICS component, the rehabilitation of the stadium became a reality to many, continues Mr Abdulsalam: “The field is a dream came true, especially after the popular square project in the neighbourhood was halted more than twenty-five years ago. During this entire period, we played on the old dirt field, despite injuries from rocks and the constant need for cleaning. It was a tough time for sports in the neighbourhood.”
Rehabilitating the stadium was more than simply fixing the soil and old bricks, it was about revitalizing hope, instilling pride, and fostering a sense of belonging between old and new generations towards shared development and peaceful coexistence.
The stadium is located in the middle of Taqta and the works were closely monitored and cheered on by the locals – “. Every morning and evening, we go to help and observe with love and feel that the dream has become a reality in a short time.”
Shifting to the voices of the younger generations, the sons of Mr Abdulsalam, Mohammed and Captain Ahmed shared the same spark for the future, showing how the rehabilitation of the stadium represented a beacon of hope for the entire community.
“After the construction company’s arrival to the site, the talk about the stadium spread among the youths on social media platforms and Taqta youth groups on WhatsApp. It created a buzz and revived hope.” – says Mohammed.
As the works for the rehabilitation of the stadium went on, doubts and mistrust were swept away making space for an active and enthusiastic approach towards the future. Now the youths are eager to play and plan for the next months: “everyone is talking about when registration for the local team will start, and the discussion continues among the youths of the neighbourhood and the high school.”
Captain Ahmed also confirmed the positive impact of the project, underlining how it impacted on his life and that of many of his school friends and fellow team members: “I think a lot about it, day and night, at school and with the youths in the neighbourhood. My team and I have many plans to win the first league in the neighbourhood on the new football field. The nightmare of going to distant fields and waiting, then returning late home, is over.”
The local stadium has become a hub of activities, a gathering place where neighbours become friends, and dreams prosper in a developing peaceful community.
Through restoring one landmark, a wider and long lasting impact has been made on the communities, the residents have rekindled hope, restored pride, and reaffirmed their commitment to building a brighter future together.
In the heart of every community lies the potential for transformation, and thanks to Baladiyati, in Darj it only took one first step to help the residents act as the catalyst for change.
This story was written by AICS based on content collected on ground by AVSI
Photo credit: AVSI
