A statement from Sudani’s office described the stadium as one of the most important projects of the Dhi Qar construction fund. The venue was initially set to be inaugurated in June.
Sudani “toured the stadium's facilities and expressed his appreciation for all the efforts that contributed to the completion of this significant project, which will serve the athletes and youth of Dhi Qar,” the statement noted.
The stadium is equipped with VIP and VVIP suites, as well as video assistant referee (VAR) facilities.
The walls of the stadium are decorated with Sumerian symbols and inscriptions. It is the first stadium in Iraq to be equipped with electronic gates.
“It is an architectural, artistic and engineering masterpiece,” Haider Majid, spokesperson for the General Secretariat of the Iraqi Council of Ministers, said in reference to the Nasiriyah stadium in July.
Iraq was banned from hosting international matches on its own soil for years following the 2003 US invasion due to security concerns. The sports scene in the country has witnessed a revitalization in recent years, hosting several regional tournaments, most notably the 2023 U-23 West Asian Cup in Baghdad and the 2023 Gulf Cup in Basra.
While the Gulf Cup in Basra was considered a success for the most part, the tournament was marred by disastrous conditions outside the stadium for the final match.
An insufficient ticket selling system meant that thousands of fans who had bought tickets could not enjoy the fixture. Tens of thousands of people without tickets were bussed to the stadium’s vicinity hours before the match began, resulting in a massive stampede as those with and without tickets alike rushed to the entry points attempting to secure a seat.
The current Iraqi cabinet has intensified efforts to advance the level of the country’s sports facilities as well as providing better opportunities for athletes.
The Iraqi Football Federation signed a contract with Spain’s top division football league, La Liga, in June 2023, aimed at helping Iraq to improve its organization and marketing of sports events, as well as training and enhancing young Iraqi football talents.
A 30,000 capacity Olympic stadium is also currently under construction in Salahaddin.
Despite the country’s constant state of political instability and disunity, the Iraqi population’s special connection to sports, especially football, has managed to unify the people at times of major regional and international tournaments, coming to the support of the national team regardless of their humble results.
