By Abed-Alhakim Amer, Member AIPS Football Commission Working Group Asia and Head of International Relations, ISPA

BAGHDAD, February 8, The Iraqi Minister of Youth and Sports Jassim Mohammed Jaafar said that his ministry is continuing its pursuit to implement the necessary infrastructure facilities needed to make genuine leaps in sports in Iraq, especially in football.

Jaafar referred to the International Football Governing Body (FIFA) decision to suspend Iraqi football saying it will not affect his ministry's plans to implement a $20 billion sports construction project, mostly for football,  over the nation.

Jaafar announced that 2010 budget would amount to $550 million, saying it aims at implementing 4820 projects by 2020 with a total cost of $20 billion. The minister asserted that the construction work is well underway to completion in the Sports City of Basra which will host the 21th edition of the Gulf Cup Tournament, adding that there are 12 companies working on the project giving April 2012 as a deadline to finish the three football stadiums in the city, only months only before the tournament kicks off.

Jaafar added: “We have managed to get allocations of $550 million for the 2010 budget. It is rather modest, considering the country’s general circumstances however somewhat acceptable but not up to our ambitions. There are plans for 4820 projects by 2020 with an estimated cost of $20 billion.”

Jaafar noted that the most important sports venues to be constructed are the Sports City of Basra, a 100,000 spectator stadium in Baghdad, 27 stadiums with a capacity from 1,000 up to 15,000 spectators  all over Iraq, 17 gyms, 10 swimming  centres, 100 sports and futsal halls, 50 youth centres and 10 youth hostels,  in addition to other diverse projects.

The minister said that the preparations for the 21st Gulf Cup in 2013 which Iraq will host are ongoing even if FIFA’s suspension- which currently in effect- should last: “We are constantly pursuing all of the  work in the city in coordination with the Directorate of Youth and Sports in Basra, which regularly reports to my department. We trust the 12 companies currently working on the Basra project  will achieve modern facilities according to the international standard. The cost of $550 million will make it the most prominent sports monument in the region,” Jafa concluded.

“As for FIFA's decision, we are planning for the future, for better sport in Iraq, so it is irrelevant to connect the construction of proper sports infrastructure with FIFA’s decision.”