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We won't be just tourists at Asian Games: Iraq
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-11-01 10:52
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BAGHDAD - The Iraqi delegation will participate in the Guangzhou Asian Games as fresh as paint and show the best of this war-torn country, an official of Iraqi Olympic Committee said.
Iraq was supposed to send athletes to compete in 19 sports of the Games, but could only manage for 12 sports due to situations in the country, said Adil Fadhil, secretary general of Iraqi Olympic Committee.
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Under tough training facilities and security situations, the Iraqi soccer team is considered one of the best in Asia recent years. It surprised the football world by winning Asian Cup in 2007 and placing second in the 2006 Doha Asian Games.
"We put standards for participation to our teams which have good performance and are suitable to represent Iraq in Asian championship, this is not just a participation, the aim for our teams are to show the best ability and we are not taking it as a trip and only for joy," the official said.
On the prospect of winning medal in Guangzhou, Fadhil singled out rowing as its best in Asia, as well as billiard and wrestling. He especially introduced Rand Saad, a woman player in crossbow.
"She is a talented teenager girl, and had good performance in Asia," said Fadhil, adding "we hope Iraqi teams will accomplish a good achievement which is suitable to Iraq reputation."
Iraq is one of the best in the Middle East in sports.
In 1974 Tehran Asian Games, Iraqi Talib Faysal won the 400m hurdles, and Iraqi athletes won more gold medals in the Bangkok Asiad 1978 in weightlifting and boxing. Four years later in New Delhi, Iraq won the Asian Games soccer title.
Since then, Iraq was away from most world sports events until 2006 in Qatar's Doha Asian Games, and Iraqi teams shocked the whole Asia with good performance.