HH Shaikh Nasser thanked for supporting Iraqi football

Manama, Mar. 21 (BNA): Representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Work and Youth Affairs, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee President, HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, has asserted that lifting the FIFA ban on hosting international official matches in Iraq is a great exploit for the Iraqi football. The ban lifting gives brotherly Iraq the full opportunity to continue developing the game, he said, noting that the move reflects the recognition of the international football community of the right of the Iraqi football national teams and clubs to host matches on their home soil, in the presence of their spectators. HH Shaikh Nasser congratulated the Iraqi sports community on lifting the ban on hosting official international matches in Iraq, noting that it was the fruitful outcome of the tremendous efforts exerted by sports officials, in general, and football ones, in particular, citing their incessant contacts with all FIFA officials. The achievement asserts Iraq’s strong resolve to have the ban lifted on and to grant the country its inherent right to host international matches on its home soil, he said. HH Shaikh Nasser lauded the tireless endeavours exerted by Iraqi authorities, and their joint work as a team to achieve the ultimate goal of lifting the FIFA ban, stressing the importance of the role played by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), led by President, Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, who, he said, openly called for lifting the ban, and supported Iraq’s right to host international matches on its soil. HH Shaikh Nasser praised the solidarity of brotherly and friendly countries with Iraq, and their support to reinstate Iraq’s just right to host international games, noting that the accomplishment will augur a new phase for Iraqi football. HH Shaikh Nasser has received a cable of thanks from the Chargé d’Affaires at the Iraqi Embassy, Khalil Abdul Ridha Al-Shammari, who extended deepest thanks and appreciation to the Kingdom of Bahrain –King, government and people, for their great efforts in support of lifting the ban on Iraqi stadiums, as well as their constant support for Iraq in various fields, including sports, which, he said, reflects the solid fraternal ties between the two countries. Al-Shammari highlighted the importance of the efforts exerted by HH Shaikh Nasser and his constant support for Iraqi football, which resulted in lifting the ban He wished Bahrain further progress and prosperity.