Mayahi: “Political motives behind withdrawing Khaliji Cup 22nd from Iraq”

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) The leader within the National White Bloc, Aziz al-Mayahi, described the decision of withdrawing the Khaliji Cup 22nd Championship from Iraq as a “political decision.”

In a statement received by IraqiNews.com, Mayahi said Wednesday “The decision of withdrawing the Khaliji Cup from Basra to Jeddah was expected, but we wished Khaliji sports Unions to separate politics from sports and adopt this issue through practical and technical aspects only.”

“Iraq has accomplished the largest part of the Sports City in Basra according to international standards but the political pressures from some Gulf Countries were the reason behind the decision of withdrawing the championship from Iraq,” Mayahi stressed.

Mayahi clarified that “Connecting Sports with Politics is regrettable,” noting that “The stance has changed into punishment for the Iraqi People which will have negative impacts on the convergence between Iraq and other Arab Countries in the Gulf Region.”