Sayyid Al-Hakeem Visits Iraq Stars League Headquarters, Emphasizes Support for Iraqi Football

Head of the National State Powers Alliance, Sayyid Ammar Al-Hakeem, visited the Iraq Stars League headquarters in Baghdad, where His Eminence met with the President of the Iraqi Football Association, Captain Adnan Dirjal. During the visit, Sayyid Al-Hakeem praised the facility’s infrastructure and expressed hope that this collaboration would help advance the state of football in Iraq.
H.E. highlighted Iraq’s rich football history, shaped by generations that have cemented the nation’s prominence in the region. Recognizing Iraq’s youthful demographic and the sport’s immense popularity, H.E. stressed the importance of nurturing football to elevate Iraq’s stature on the international stage.
Sayyid Al-Hakeem called for greater attention to the Iraqi league and local sports clubs, advocating for diversified funding sources rather than sole reliance on government or institutional support. H.E. emphasized the need to explore alternative financial resources to bolster clubs and ensure their sustainability.
H.E. also pointed out Iraq’s significant progress toward qualifying for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, noting that only a few steps remain to achieve this dream. H.E. urged comprehensive support for the national team—including media coverage, morale-boosting efforts, and financial backing—and emphasized the need to overcome disputes to focus on the shared aspiration of World Cup qualification that unites the Iraqi people.
In addition, H.E. underscored the importance of unity in sports media, urging stakeholders to avoid divisive rhetoric or actions. H.E. described sports as a bridge that fosters connections between nations.
H.E. further stressed the importance of investing in youth development within clubs, identifying and nurturing talent through sports academies and grassroots teams. H.E. stated that creating a supportive environment is essential to cultivating future stars.
Concluding the visit, H.E. noted that this engagement aimed to assess the national team’s status following its Gulf Cup participation and understand the reasons behind its shortcomings. H.E. reaffirmed that continuous support for the national team is a vital component of efforts to elevate the level of Iraqi sports.