Grassroots Cultural Grant Aid to the Olympic Committee of the Governorate of Al-Muthanna, Iraq

June 22, 2005

1. As part of its grassroots cultural grant aid to Iraq (Governorate of Al-Muthanna), the Government of Japan launched last autumn the work of renovating the Olympic stadium in the Governorate that is used for football and other sports. The completion ceremony of the project was held on June 19 (Sun) from 9:30 (local time) attended by the following officials and other members involved: Mr. Mohammed Ali Hassan Abbas Al-hasani, Governor of Al-Muthanna; Mr. Muhammad Ziyadi, Chairman of the Council of the Governorate of Al-Muthanna; Mr. Al-Maiyari Ibrahim, Mayor of Samawah; Mr. Abdul-Wahid Khidr, Chairman of the Olympic Committee of the Governorate of Al-Muthanna; Mr. Hiroyasu Kobayashi, Chief of the Liaison Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan in Samawah; and Mr. Yoshiro Fukumasu, Deputy Commander of Task Planning and Liaision Unit of the Japanese Ground Self Defense Forces.
2. This assistance, which supports the renovation of the extremely dilapidated stadium, is expected to promote revitalization of football in Iraq and sports exchange between Japan and Iraq; to bring up youth through promotion of sports including football and to contribute to building up the morale of the Iraqi citizens engaged in creating a new state.

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