Iran, Iraq Eye Closer Sports Ties

Tasnim – TEHRAN, Iran’s Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Mahmoud Goudarzi is in Iraq for talks on the enhancement of relations with the Arab country on issues regarding sports and well-being of the younger generation.

The Iranian minister, who arrived in Baghdad on Sunday night, is going to meet his Iraqi counterpart Abd al-Husayn Abd al-Ridha Abtan and a number of other ranking officials.

Speaking to reporters upon his arrival in Baghdad, Goudarzi said he will hold talks on the exchange of technical know-how with Iraqis, Iran’s experience in the management of youth affairs, and organizing joint training camps with Iraqi sports teams.

He also expressed the hope that a recent agreement signed between the football federations of Iran and Iraq would help strengthen their bilateral ties.

The Iraqi minister told reporters that he is grateful to Iran for hosting the sports matches that Iraqi national teams could not play in the Arab country.

Abtan also noted that the Iranian minister’s visit has provided an opportunity for talks on Iraq’s employment of Iranian trainers and coaches in different sporting fields.