On Monday, under the directives of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, a team was formed to prepare a project for developing an Olympic champion, along with programs and strategies to achieve athletic success in upcoming Olympic Games.
Prof. Sabah Qasim Khalaf, Dean of the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences at the University of Baghdad, was selected as a member of the committee tasked with this project due to his extensive sports expertise and his dedication to hosting sports federations for their camps and training sessions in the college’s halls and fields.
An official decree issued by the Director of the Prime Minister’s Office, Ihsan Yassin Al-Awadi, stated:
“Based on the Prime Minister’s directive, it has been decided to form a team headed by the Prime Minister’s Advisor for Youth and Sports Affairs, Iyad Binyan Mohammed, and including representatives from the following entities:
1.Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Hassan Ali Karim.
2.Dean of the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences/University of Baghdad, Sabah Qasim Khalaf.
3.Director General of Physical Education and School Activities/Ministry of Education, Mohammed Ibrahim Aboud.
4.Director General of Sports Affairs in the Kurdistan Region, Sardar Ismail Hawiz.
5.Professor of Physical Education in Sulaymaniyah, Azad Mohammed Nouri.
6. Representative of the National Olympic Committee, Tiris Audisho Anoya.”
The decree specified that the team’s mission is to prepare a project for developing an Olympic champion and create the necessary programs and strategies to achieve high-level sports achievements in upcoming Olympic Games. This includes:
•Preparing and drafting the project’s programs and strategies.
•Determining the project’s required budget.
•Establishing financial, administrative, and technical guidelines.
•Selecting the sports to be included in the project.
• Identifying training programs and international schools for potential collaboration.
•Reviewing and approving these strategies.
•Selecting qualified coaches and experts (local and international) for contracting.
•Choosing appropriate sports facilities in coordination with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
•Identifying and ensuring the provision of essential equipment and resources.
SDGs Goals Achieved:
This initiative aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
1.Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being – Promoting physical activity and sports excellence to enhance community health and inspire youth.
2. Goal 4: Quality Education – Encouraging collaboration between educational institutions and sports programs to foster talent development.
3.Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Creating opportunities for coaches, experts, and sports-related industries, boosting the sports economy.
4.Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – Enhancing teamwork and institutional collaboration across regions and organizations to achieve national goals.
5.Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Encouraging partnerships between governmental bodies, educational institutions, and international experts for shared success in sports.