From the Shorsh neighborhood to Erbil Club and university football, Kawa Omar Mohammed built a sporting career that extended well beyond the football field.
Kawa Omar Mohammed, widely known as Kawa Naqar or Kawa Shorsh, was born in 1969 in Erbil’s Shorsh neighborhood. His sporting journey began in 1979 when he joined the Shorsh neighborhood football team.
In 1980, he moved to the Shorsh Committee team. After the committee was dissolved two years later, he joined the newly established Shorsh team in 1982 and continued playing for the club before eventually retiring from football.
Kawa’s talent soon earned him opportunities beyond neighborhood football. In 1983, he was selected for the Erbil Education team, and in 1985 he was selected for the Erbil national team. His performances at school level were recognized in 1986 when he was named the best player in the secondary-school league, receiving the award from Salah Hassan Khusro.
In 1987, Kawa played for the Erbil Education team and also represented Biryati Club. A year later, he joined Erbil Club, becoming the youngest player on the team at the time.
In 1991, he began studying at the College of Physical Education while continuing his sporting career. He represented Salahaddin University in the Iraqi university league, helping the team finish second nationally.
Kawa was also a prolific goalscorer. In 1995, while playing for Biryati, he scored 15 goals and became the league’s top scorer. In the following season, he scored seven goals in the first round before the second round was left unfinished.
He returned to Erbil Club in 1996, but recurring knee problems eventually limited his career. He retired from sports in 2000.
Football was only one part of Kawa’s sporting life. He competed in the 100-meter, 400-meter, and 800-meter races, as well as long-distance running. He also participated twice in cycling competitions, finishing second, and played handball.
His passion for sport continued into academia. He is currently a doctoral student at Salahaddin University.
Looking back on his football career, Kawa considers the goal he scored against Najaf while playing for Erbil his best goal.
Away from sport, he is a supporter of FC Barcelona and the Netherlands national football team.
