Baghdad, May 27 -- Hockey history was written in Iraq over the last weekend with the launch of the very first hockey club championship in the country.

Six clubs participated (the Municipality of Baghdad, Al-Adala, Al-Adhamiya, Al-Arabiya and Development) in matches that took place at the training centre in Al-Karkh, in the city of Al-Shula.

President of the Iraqi Federation Khalil Yassin said, "The Iraqi Clubs Championship for hockey is the first one staged under the auspices of the Federation. It will help significantly to advance the reality of the game in Iraq."

Hockey receives great support and interest from the President of the Iraqi National Olympic Committee, Dr. Aqil Muftin, who attended the opening ceremony at the Federation'...