AL-HAYY, Iraq –. The 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment and the Wasit Provincial Reconstruction Team visited the Al-Hayy Youth Center at Al-Hayy Sept. 7 to discuss improvements to the facility.
The youth center was an area in the city for teenagers to socialize and interact when it originally opened in the 1970s. Currently, basketball and soccer are the main activities keeping the center in use.
“Right now we have the champion basketball team in all of Iraq,” said Yaserh Al-Yasrriha, Wasit Provincial Council member. “We are very proud of our team, but the facilities here are poor and have not been updated since the center first opened.”
The PRT was escorted through the youth center by Al-Yasrriha as he pointed out the obvious repairs and improvements needed, such as a repaved basketball court, bleachers for the improved soccer field and new gym equipment. The PRT has scheduled improvements for completion within the next three months.
“We want the youth to come here and to be able to train and practice without worrying about getting hurt,” said Al-Yasrriha. “We also want the families to have a place to sit and watch their teenagers play.”
During the visit, two Soldiers from the 1411th Civil Affairs Company passed out soccer jerseys to some of the teenagers who are active members with the youth center.
“We gave out the jerseys so the teams have something to help identify each other while they’re practicing,” said Sgt. Yerry Arcamone, civil affairs noncommissioned officer, 1411th CA Company, native of New Brunswick, N.J.
Assistance from the Wasit Provincial Council and the PRT will provide the updates necessary to create a better youth center.
“Helping the youth is the way to go,” said Oghale Oddo, United States Agency for International Development representative, PRT member and a native of Lexington, Ky.
