Maliki says gov’t backs sport

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Saturday stressed his government’s interest in providing technical and financial support to the country’s athletes. The statement was made during Maliki’s meeting with 500 sports figures, including the minister of youth and sports, Jasem Mohammed Jaafar, presidents of sport clubs, unions and activists. “The government pays attention to the sports sector and will always support it,” Maliki said. The premier stressed the necessity of enacting a national Olympiad law that complies with international covenants and regulations. Maliki also highlighted the need for setting up a committee to resolve all disagreements on the sports arena and for activating the role of the parliamentary Youth and Sports Committee. SS (P) 1