2006年VOA标准英语-Iraqi Football Team Relocates From Baghdad to I

By Brian Padden
Irbil, Iraq
05 August 2006

No segment of Iraqi society seems to be safe from the violence, including those in the world of sports.   In July, members of the Iraqi Olympic National Committee and more than 30 others were kidnapped in Baghdad. This past week, a suicide bomber¹ killed 10 people at a sports stadium in Hadhar.  The Iraqi national football team has also received death threats.  As a precaution, it has relocated from Baghdad to the northern city of Irbil.

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Iraqis cheer after their Olympic football team scored a goal against Iraq's first opponent, Portugal, at a barber shop in Baghdad, Iraq, August 12, 2004 
  
The Iraqi national football team is now practicing in the northern city of Irbil, in the relatively² peaceful Kurdish region of the Iraq.  

Team manger Akram Salman says he wanted to resign because of death threats, but could not find anyone to take his place. So, he made the decision to move  the team out of Baghdad.

"As everyone knows, the situation in Iraq is very dangerous, especially for the professional players," he said.  "None of them could play in Baghdad.  We received many calls against the players and coaches.  It made it dangerous for our lives and our souls."

To many Iraqis, this team is a symbol of unity³, and proves that, despite their differences Iraqis can work together.

"Like one team, there are Kurds, Arabs, Muslims, and Christians⁴ from everyplace, Baghdad, Mosul, and Basra.  Everyplace!  It is like a basket of fruit," said Team trainer Jalal Rahman.

And he says that is why the team is being targeted by those who want to divide the country.  Team members say that, the team will continue to represent Iraq, regardless of where it is located.

"These dangers are trying to stop us and all sports," said Forward Emad Mohammad.  "But we have decided⁵ to struggle on as a team, the Iraqi National Team.  And as part of the team, I try to prove this by playing for the team and succeeding, despite this difficult situation."

Based here in Irbil, the team hopes it can now focus exclusively on football.

1 bomber   

n.轰炸机，投弹手，投掷炸弹者

参考例句：

• He flew a bomber during the war.他在战时驾驶轰炸机。
• Detectives hunting the London bombers will be keen to interview him.追查伦敦爆炸案凶犯的侦探们急于对他进行讯问。

2 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

3 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

4 Christians   

n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Christians of all denominations attended the conference. 基督教所有教派的人都出席了这次会议。
• His novel about Jesus caused a furore among Christians. 他关于耶稣的小说激起了基督教徒的公愤。

5 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。