Baghdad, The Iraqi Football Association expressed its deep regret that some organizational matters went out of their proper framework at the Inaguration ceremony of the 25th Gulf Cup in the city of Basra.

The President of the Iraqi Federation, Adnan Darjal, in a press statement, apologized to the Kuwaiti delegation for the difficulties it faced in entering the Palm Stadium, which resulted in the departure of the representative of the Emir of the State of Kuwait, Chairman of the Olympic Committee, Sheikh Fahd Al-Nasser, as well as the President of the Kuwaiti Federation and members of the Board of Directors.

Darjal expressed his deep regret over the scenes of the mass stampede that occurred in front of the stadium and inside the main booth, stressing that the Iraqi Federation, as well as those in charge of organizing the tournament, will take into account the need to avoid what happened to ensure the appearance of the organizational process in the best way, starting from the matches of the second day of the tournament.

He pointed out that what happened in terms of organizational matters will not affect the strength of the relationship between Iraq and Kuwait, especially at the sports level. Pointing out that the Kuwaiti Federation was one of the strongest supporters of the tournament in the city of Basra, whether through the visit of the President of the Kuwaiti Federation Abdullah Al-Shaheen and his accompanying delegation to the two tournament stadiums about three weeks before it was held, or the presence of the Kuwaiti national team to meet the Iraqi national team in a friendly match at the Olympic Minaa Stadium.

Adnan Darjal urged the masses on the necessity of continuing support in order for the success of the championship, which represents the gateway to the return of Iraqi sports to hosting sporting events after a long period of absence.ed

Source: National Iraqi News Agency