Iraqi NOC reconstituted

The Iraqi National Olympic Committee was reconstituted today following the meeting of its Constituent General Assembly held under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in the city of Al-Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. The Assembly adopted the new statutes of the NOC and elected the members of its Executive Board, including its President, Ahmed Abdul Ghafoor Al-Samarrai, and its Secretary General, Amir A. Jabbar, also President of the Iraqi Volleyball federation.

The IOC delegation attending the event was satisfied with the proceedings of the meeting which were efficiently and professionally run by a motivated Iraqi team in close cooperation with the competent authorities in the country.

Toni Khoury, IOC Executive Board member, who was leading the IOC delegation and representing the IOC President said: "the elections of the Iraqi NOC were held in a perfect spirit of transparency and democracy. The Iraqis can be proud of their efforts to rebuild sport in their country. It is a great day for the Olympic Movement and Iraqi sport".

The IOC delegation will now report to the Executive Board at its next meeting on 27-29 February in Athens, where the decision to lift the suspension of the Iraqi NOC might be taken, thereby allowing the Iraqi athletes to compete under their NOC's flag at the Athens Games.