Baghdad:Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi hosted a meeting with Iraqi Olympic Committee President Aqeel Muften and Iraqi Football Association President Younis Mahmoud on Saturday to discuss the future of sports in Iraq.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the discussions focused on enhancing the sports infrastructure in Iraq, supporting local sports clubs and federations, and improving the performance of competitions and national teams. Prime Minister al-Zaidi confirmed that Baghdad is set to host the 28th Arabian Gulf Cup in 2028. He emphasized the completion of all necessary preparations, including upgrading sports facilities and completing stadiums such as Al-Tajiyat Stadium, which can accommodate over 60,000 spectators.

The Prime Minister also directed support for the national team and the Iraqi Football Association, underscoring the importance of the Iraqi Premier League’s success. He instructed the Ministry of Finance to release pending payments for live television broadcasting rights to ensure the league’s successful launch and operations.

Additionally, al-Zaidi mandated the allocation of land for the Iraqi Football Association to develop training facilities for youth and national teams. He also endorsed the Olympic Champion Project proposed by the Iraqi Olympic Committee, focusing on nurturing sporting talent and preparing athletes to represent Iraq on international platforms.