Iraq’s Olympic Committee Chief Announces Government Support for Sports Projects and Funding for Federations

Iraqi National Olympic Committee President Aqeel Muftin has announced that Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi has directed the government to provide comprehensive support for the sports sector, including the completion of stalled infrastructure projects and the rehabilitation of sports facilities and stadiums.

Muftin said an agreement had also been reached with the Ministry of Youth and Sports to develop a plan addressing the challenges facing sports federations and provide them with temporary financial grants.

Speaking about a meeting with Youth and Sports Minister Safaa al-Kinani and members of the Olympic Committee’s executive office, Muftin said the participants agreed to establish mechanisms to resolve the federations’ outstanding issues and arrange financial assistance for a period of three to four months in coordination with the government.

He noted that sports federations have gone approximately two years and eight months without receiving financial grants or budget allocations.

Muftin added that the Ministry of Youth and Sports would take responsibility for rehabilitating sports facilities and stadiums, noting that several of these venues had previously been fully operational when managed by the ministry.

He expressed optimism about the coming four years, saying closer coordination between the Olympic Committee and the ministry would help advance sports projects, improve infrastructure and strengthen Iraq’s performance in local and international competitions, including the Olympic Games.

Muftin stressed that government backing and the prime minister’s commitment would be essential to completing suspended projects and creating the conditions necessary for further achievements in Iraqi sports.