Ashur Sada
ACSSU of Canada, Public Relations

Basil Gorgis, the first and only Assyrian to play in the world cup of soccer has never been fully rewarded or recognized by the Assyrian community. Given his reputable football career with the Iraqi national team that qualified for the world cup in 1986, Basil Gorgis was long overdue for an event to showcase and present his accomplishments to the Assyrian community in Canada.

On November 29 2009, ACSSU hosted a lecture at the Assyrian Society of Canada hall with Basil Gorgis to showcase his numerous athletic accomplishments, as well as to show the community's appreciation and pride in what he has done. The lecture was divided into several segments, starting from a short presentation about Basil and his life, followed by a welcoming speech by ACSSU's president, Mariam Georgis.  A live interview was conducted by renowned Assyrian sports journalist Yacoub Hirmiz, who asked the questions in Assyrian. Nancy Sada from ACSSU followed with questions in English.

 

Basil spoke to the audience about growing up in Iraq and playing for a number of soccer squads before being selected to play for the national team. Of particular significance was when he spoke of his relationship with the late Emmanuel Baba Dawud (Ammo Baba), an Iraqi national soccer legend who was also of Assyrian origin.

 

Throughout the lecture, video clips and photos of Basil Gorgis highlighting his soccer career were presented to the audience. 

Following the lecture, Basil Gorgis was presented with a plaque by ACSSU, in the form of a soccer ball, in recognition of all his soccer and athletic accomplishments.  Basil was very pleased and appreciative of this opportunity,  and told us that it meant a lot for him to finally be recognized by ACSSU and his own people.

Basil Gorgis was due to fly to Baghdad a few days after the lecture, as part of an invitation sent by the Iraqi government to former Iraqi athletes.

Some of the pictures taken at the event: