Baghdad – IA
Today, Thursday, the delegation of the Iraqi National Olympic Committee, headed by Aqeel Muften, attended the General Assembly meeting of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) in Portugal.
A statement by the Iraqi National Olympic Committee - received by the (INA) – stated that “The President of the Iraqi National Olympic Committee, Aqeel Muftin, attended the meeting of the General Assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) in Portugal, in its 27th session, which was held in the Portuguese city of Cascais, He is accompanied by First Deputy Khaled Abdel Wahed Ghabian and Secretary General Haitham Abdel Hamid.”
The statement added, “President of the Association of Olympic Committees (ANOC) Robin Mitchell, President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach, and the heads of more than 200 national Olympic committees in the world attended the meeting, in addition to the presence of the advanced staff of the International Olympic Committee and international sports federations.”
The statement continued, “On the sidelines of the meeting, the President of the National Olympic Committee, Aqeel Muftin, held a number of bilateral meetings with a number of important figures, seeking everything that serves the Olympic movement in Iraq and enhances the work of the National Olympic Sports Federations, where Muftin met with the President of the International Olympic Committee.” Thomas Bach, and conveyed to him a brief vision of the recent Olympic renaissance that Iraq is witnessing, and the support that sports receive from the Iraqi government.
The statement explained, “Muftin also discussed with two high-ranking officials in the International Olympic Committee, namely the Director of the Sports Department of the Olympic Solidarity, Oliva Mianke, and the Director of Governance and Relations at the International Olympic Committee, Jerome Boivé, the Iraqi Olympic issue, in an effort to receive international Olympic support, by involving athletes.” Iraqis in the Olympic Solidarity Programme.
The statement also indicated, “Muftin met with his counterpart, the President of the Norwegian Olympic Committee, who is of Iraqi origin, Zainab Al-Samarrai, in addition to the President of the Tunisian Olympic Committee, Mahrez Boussian, in separate meetings,” where they both expressed their happiness at meeting Muften and the delegation accompanying him, and expressed, “their desire to visit Iraq.” He opened the horizons for joint bilateral cooperation with the Iraqi National Olympic Committee, in addition to his meetings with his counterparts, the heads of the Cuban, Belarusian, and Irish Olympic Committees.”
The statement revealed, “Muftin also met with the President of the International Weightlifting Federation, Muhammad Hassan Jaloud, and discussed with him the agenda of preparing reliable Iraqi lifters for effective participation in the Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Olympics.”
For his part, the Secretary-General of the Iraqi National Olympic Committee, Haitham Abdel Hamid, held a series of bilateral meetings with the Secretary-General of the Association of Olympic Committees (ANOC), Gunilla Limberdić, and also the Director of the Sports Department at the Olympic Solidarity, Oliva Mianke, in addition to the Director of Governance and Relations at the International Olympic Committee, Jerome Boivé. “.
The statement continued, “The Secretary-General of the Iraqi National Olympic Committee, Haitham Abdel Hamid, held several meetings with his counterparts, the Secretaries-General of the Cuban, Irish, and Belarusian Olympic Committees.”
He pointed out that, “During the meeting, the General Assembly of ANOC approved the administrative and financial reports of the federation, and reports related to the work and programs of the Union of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) were also discussed – in accordance with the agenda of the meeting, in addition to a presentation.” A presentation on Anouk’s future plans, as well as reports on the recent Paris 2024 Summer Olympics and upcoming Olympics.
The statement concluded, “Also on the sidelines of the meeting, the General Assembly of the Association of Olympic Committees (ANOC) honored a number of exceptional athletes who participated in the recent Olympic Games in Paris 2024.”
Interview between Time.news Editor and Olympic Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome to our special segment where we delve into significant sports developments across the globe. Today, we’re discussing the recent participation of the Iraqi National Olympic Committee at the ANOC General Assembly in Portugal. Joining me is Dr. Sara Al-Hassan, an expert in Olympic sports development and international sports relations. Thank you for being here, Dr. Al-Hassan.
Dr. Sara Al-Hassan: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss such an important event for Iraq’s sports community.
Time.news Editor: Let’s start with the delegation led by Aqeel Muften. What does it mean for Iraq to have a presence at a high-profile meeting like the ANOC General Assembly?
Dr. Sara Al-Hassan: Iraq’s participation is quite significant, not just symbolically but practically. It showcases Iraq’s commitment to reviving and advancing its Olympic movement. Engaging directly with leaders from over 200 national Olympic committees allows Iraq to seek support and share its vision for sports development, which is crucial given the country’s recent history.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely. The statement mentioned important meetings Muften had, including discussions with IOC President Thomas Bach. What are the implications of such discussions for Iraq?
Dr. Sara Al-Hassan: Meetings with influential figures like Thomas Bach can open doors for invaluable resources and support. They provide a platform for Iraq to voice its needs and ambitions. Particularly, discussions around the Olympic Solidarity Programme can help Iraqi athletes gain access to training and development resources, which has been a challenge in the past.
Time.news Editor: That’s an interesting point. The concept of international support is key. What kind of initiatives could Iraq potentially benefit from through these discussions?
Dr. Sara Al-Hassan: Iraq could benefit from coaching programs, sports facilities development, and funding for grassroots sports initiatives. The aim of these programs is to enhance the capabilities of national federations and empower local athletes. Involvement in international competitions and training can also help build the athletes’ experiences and skills.
Time.news Editor: It’s encouraging to hear about the collaboration opportunities mentioned during these meetings. The presence of officials from other national Olympic committees, like Zainab Al-Samarrai from Norway, signals a potential for cultural and sporting exchange. How vital is this for Iraq?
Dr. Sara Al-Hassan: It’s incredibly vital. Such interactions can foster collaborative projects and mutual learning between countries. For instance, sharing best practices in athlete development or sports management can be advantageous for the Iraqi National Olympic Committee, enhancing their operational effectiveness. Moreover, the expression of interest from other countries to visit Iraq points towards a softening of relations and the potential for partnerships.
Time.news Editor: That’s a profound insight. The connections made at ANOC could really change the landscape for Iraqi sports. Do you think that this renewed focus on the Olympic movement in Iraq can have a broader impact beyond sports?
Dr. Sara Al-Hassan: Yes, definitely. Investing in sports contributes to community building and national pride. It can encourage youth engagement and inspire future generations. Sports also have the power to bridge divides, promote peace, and strengthen international relations. Iraq’s emerging Olympic renaissance could play a pivotal role in shaping a positive narrative for the country.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Al-Hassan, for sharing your insights today. It’s clear that the steps taken by Iraq’s National Olympic Committee are part of a larger vision for progress not only in sports but in society as a whole.
Dr. Sara Al-Hassan: Thank you for having me. I look forward to seeing how these developments unfold for Iraq and its athletes.
Time.news Editor: And we’ll certainly be following up on this story. Thank you to our viewers for joining us. Keep an eye on the evolving world of sports, especially as countries like Iraq continue to gain momentum in the Olympic arena.