BAGHDAD – INA
The Secretary-General of the Iraqi National Paralympic Committee, Mahdi Baqir, confirmed that all technical and administrative preparations have been completed for the sports federations participating in the Asian Games, scheduled to take place in Aichi-Nagoya from October 18 to 24, praising the government support provided to ensure Iraq’s successful participation in the continental event.
Speaking to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), Baqir said that 14 sports federations had finalized trials to select athletes and teams that will represent Iraq at the Asian Games, noting that all federations have begun implementing comprehensive training programs aimed at ensuring a strong performance and achieving positive results.
He explained that the preparation program will include domestic training camps beginning in early June following the completion of final school examinations, in addition to a 10-day overseas training camp in Malaysia ahead of the competition. The Iraqi delegation is expected to travel directly from there to Japan.
Baqir added that the sports federations have selected the locations for the domestic camps, while specialized committees have been formed to oversee the preparation of the Iraqi delegation’s official uniforms, as well as the provision of equipment, supplies, and sportswear required for each participating federation.
He noted that the Paralympic Committee has held coordination meetings with the tournament’s organizing committee in Japan to review stadiums, delegation accommodations, and competition facilities, alongside a series of virtual meetings to follow up on organizational and technical aspects related to Iraq’s participation.
The Secretary-General also praised the government’s support for Paralympic sports, stating that Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office, under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister’s Adviser for Sports Affairs, Iyad Binyan, allocated 1.5 billion Iraqi dinars to support Iraq’s participation in the Asian Games, with the aim of providing the best possible conditions for athletes and enhancing their chances of winning medals.
He stressed that the participation represents an important stage in preparation for upcoming competitions, particularly the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, while also offering Iraqi athletes an opportunity to compete against some of Asia’s leading champions.