Grant Assistance for Cultural Grassroots Projects for the Olympic Committee in the Governorate of Al-Muthanna, Iraq

September 30, 2004

1. The Government of Japan decided to extend grant assistance for cultural grassroots projects to the Olympic Committee in the Governorate of Al-Muthanna, Iraq which totals up to approximately 380,000 US dollars for the rehabilitation of the Olympic Stadium in this Governorate.
   
   
2. The Olympic Stadium is one of the main facilities for football games and other for sports activities in this Governorate.
   However, due to financial difficulties, the Stadium is in a highly deteriorated condition. As a result there are (serious) difficulties in playing football games and other sports activities in this region. The grant assistance in this occasion aims to provide financial cooperation necessary for the rehabilitation of the Olympic Stadium and to contribute to the promotion of sports in Iraq.
   
   
3. It is expected that the implementation of this grant assistance will contribute to the revitalization of football, which is one of the most popular sports in Iraq. It is also expected that this assistance will promote the education of the youth through the promotion of football and other sports, strengthen sports exchanges between Japan and Iraq, and encourage the people of Iraq to build their new nation.