Zakho prepares to host off-road rally

ZAKHO, Kurdistan Region - The Zakho Off-Road Group has invited off-road enthusiasts from across the Kurdistan Region to a rally early next month that they hope will grow into an international event.

"As the Zakho Off-Road Group, our aim in holding this rally is to make our people from Zakho and our off-road fans happy. We would like to show off our vehicles," Faysel Hogir, a member of the Zakho Off-Road Group, told Rudaw on Friday.

Teams from Zakho, Duhok, Erbil, Barzan, Sulaimani, and Chamchamal will compete in their 4x4s specially adapted for adventures normal vehicles cannot handle.

A team of mechanics will be on hand to repair vehicles that may break down.

"I am a car mechanic and wireman. I will be here to repair any vehicles that may have electric issues or any other problem," said Omar Idris, a Zakho Off-Road mechanic.  

Rally organizers are expecting a strong turnout of fans to watch the event that will be run under international standards.

"In the next few days, we will hold a festival here. There are some mechanical problems and we are repairing them. God willing, after that, we will make phone calls with all the off-road teams from Chamchamal, Sulaimani, Erbil, Duhok, and Barzan," said rally organizer Khanim Mohammed Hassan. "God willing, we will hold a beautiful and well-organized rally."