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Refugee from Kurdistan-Iraq excelling on
the USA soccer field
6.5.2006
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Bewar Yousif, a Kurdish Iraqi, has a
cloudy memory of his family's flight from northern
Iraq. The Kurdistan city in which he grew up was
threatened by Saddam Hussein, and much of the
population fled, fearful of a bombing campaign by
their country's leader.
"I really didn't know what was going on," Yousif
said. "At a young age, you don't really know what
things are, but it was pretty frightening."
With the help of the United States military the
Kurdish refugees gathered in a camp in Turkey.
Yousif spent two weeks living in a tent, along with
his mother, Mayan Mohammed, and nine siblings. The
military helped Yousif and his family evacuate to
Guam, and eventually to Utah.
Now a senior at Highland High and a goalkeeper on
the Rams' soccer team, it took years for Yousif to
become accustomed to the freedoms and opportunities
in the United States after growing up in a
controlled society. Although he has spent most of
his young life in Utah, Yousif remembers playing
soccer in Iraq.
He didn't, however, get involved in sports when he
started school at Highland. Things changed during
his junior year - he found his place in a 3-0 loss
to Lone Peak in the first round of the playoffs,
roughly this time a year ago. Yousif entered the
game as a substitute goalkeeper after the starting
goalie went out with an injury. |
Highland goalie Bewar Yousif is knocked to the
ground while blocking a shot in a recent game
against Olympus.
Photo: The Salt Lake Tribune |
"As soon as I got in, I felt really good saving shot
after shot," Yousif said. "I really did care when I
got scored on, and coach told me he wanted me back
this year."
Yousif's father passed away in his sleep while the
family still was living in Iraq. After arriving in
Utah, Yousif's family had few options. His oldest
brother Hawar was forced to work to provide for the
family.
"He's like a father figure," Yousif said. "He's the
one that takes care of us a lot."
Yousif has learned from Hawar's example. His two
younger siblings, twin sisters Zheen and Veen, also
attend Highland, and Yousif makes sure to look after
them.
"They feel really protected when I'm there with
them," Yousif said. "But I tell them I'm just doing
the thing my older brothers did for me."
Mayan, who does not speak English, cares for the
family in the home.
In the 10 years since his family has been here,
Yousif says he has found a home, of sorts.
"I love it here," Yousif said. "A lot of times I say
I want to go back home, but I wouldn't want to stay
there. I've grown up here, and I've learned how to
be myself. There are more opportunities, and you get
more freedom."
Yousif came a long way his junior year. At the
beginning of the season, said coach Gulliver Lavalle,
Yousif had little confidence and limited ability in
goal.
"I was confused, I was a rookie," Yousif said. "I
was like, 'This is probably not for me, and I don't
want to play anymore.' But, I just stayed with the
team."
Although the Rams lost to Lone Peak in the playoffs,
Yousif's debut at goalkeeper instilled confidence in
him. Since then, his ability has grown at a
remarkable clip. Yousif credits Highland's
goalkeeping coach, Andy West, with much of his
improvement.
"I wouldn't be a good goalie if it wasn't for him,"
Yousif said. "The way I stepped up really impressed
him, but the one thing in my head was that I don't
quit; that's the one thing that athletes don't do."
With Yousif in goal, Highland's record is 10-2-2.
The Rams recently went on a six-game winning streak,
broken only by an overtime loss to Olympus. Lavalle
said Yousif has become the second-best goalkeeper in
Class 4-A, behind Olympus' Dustin Jensen.
"He's turned into an amazing goalie," Lavalle said.
"He's got that kind of crazy attitude that keepers
need to stay on the edge. He dominates the box so
much, rarely do people get shots on him."
Observers may think Yousif's behavior between the
posts is odd, but, he is just pumping himself up.
"When I'm frustrated in the goal, I yell at myself,"
Yousif said. "I get crazy, I'm just insane. It makes
me feel like I'm going to try harder, and when I do
that, I hardly ever get scored on."
Although Yousif was born in Iraq, he feels most at
home on the soccer field, defending between the
posts of Highland's goal.
"It's really fun," Yousif said. "A lot of pressure
is on me, but that's what I like."
BEWAR YOUSIF
an Iraqi-born Kurd goaltender for Highland High
School
Rough Life
l A native of Iraq, Highland High's Bewar Yousif has
become one of the best goalkeepers in the state.
l A Kurdish Iraqi, Yousif's family fled Iraq when he
was 8 years old after it believed his hometown could
be in danger of an attack by the forces of dictator
Saddam Hussein.
Sltrib com
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