Baghdad: Japanese Ambassador to Iraq Akira Endo emphasized the role of sport as a significant medium of exchange and communication between Iraq and Japan, acknowledging Iraq’s indirect contribution to the development of Japanese football after the 1993 incident known as the ‘Doha Tragedy,’ when Japan narrowly missed World Cup qualification.
According to Iraqi News Agency, Ambassador Endo underscored the importance of sports in fostering ties between the two nations. He noted that Japan has been supporting Iraq’s sports development since 2003, facilitating exchanges that encompass a broad spectrum of sporting activities. This includes Japan’s assistance in enabling the Iraqi national football team to play a friendly match against Japan in 2004 and providing training to members of the Iraqi Judo and Athletics Federations.
o highlighted the renovation of the Samawah Olympic Stadium by Japanese Self-Defense Forces personnel in 2005 while stationed in Muthanna province as a testament to the ongoing sports cooperation between the two countries. He mentioned that since 2017, several friendly tournaments named ‘Ambassador’s Cup’ have been held in Iraq, in collaboration with the Iraqi Central Kyokushinkai Federation and the Iraqi Judo Federation, to promote friendship and mutual understanding through traditional Japanese sports.
The ambassador also pointed to Japan’s extensive experience in hosting international sporting events, citing the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2021, the 2019 Rugby World Cup, and the 2002 FIFA World Cup as examples. He acknowledged Iraq’s growing experience in hosting regional and international tournaments, such as the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup in Basra in 2023 and the West Asian Athletics Championships in Basra in 2024.
o expressed that the realm of sports offers limitless opportunities for collaboration between Iraq and Japan. He emphasized the significance of Japanese-origin sports like judo and karate while welcoming opportunities to strengthen ties in sports that are popular in both countries, such as football, basketball, and athletics. He praised Iraq’s talented athletes and their potential to excel at both Asian and international levels.
In football, Endo recognized the Iraqi national team’s achievements, noting its return to the World Cup this year after a 40-year hiatus as a remarkable milestone. He expressed his support for the Iraqi team’s success at the World Cup, despite not facing Japan. Iraq’s victories in the Asian Cup in 2007 and international youth competitions, along with recent regional tournament successes, highlight its competitiveness among Asia’s leading national teams.
o also acknowledged Iraq’s traditional strength in weightlifting, with the country winning an Olympic bronze medal, and the continued success of Iraqi Paralympic athletes in international competitions. He affirmed his commitment to supporting Iraqi athletes alongside the Iraqi people.
Reflecting on the historical ties between Iraqi and Japanese football, Endo recounted the 1993 match in Doha where Iraq’s late equalizer against Japan, scored by Jaafar Omran, denied Japan a spot in the World Cup. This event, known in Japan as the ‘Doha Tragedy,’ motivated the Japanese national team to enhance its performance and avoid similar disappointments in the future. Endo highlighted that this episode and the ongoing development of sporting ties illustrate sport’s power to transcend competition and build bridges of understanding and friendship between nations.