Press Release

Baghdad, Iraq...August 23, 2003-The Iraqi professional soccer season is getting an early boost thanks to Coalition Forces. The Coalition Provisional Authority, in conjunction with the Iraqi Ministry of Youth and Sport and the Interim Iraqi Committee to Administer Sport are pleased to announce the schedule of a pre-season soccer tournament.

The tournament, which will involve six teams representing provinces from across Iraq, will take place from August 28 through September 10 in the cooler climate and excellent facilities found at Mosul and Erbil. The tournament is an opportunity for players to display their skills to club managers and talent scouts in advance of the new soccer season in October. The teams will compete for $7,000 in soccer equipment.

No.	Game	Date	Place
1	Al-Mina'a x Kurdistan Team	Mon. 1^st of Sep. 03	Erbil
2	Al-Mosul x Al-Najaf	Mon. 1^st of Sep. 03	Mosul
3	Al-Sina'ah x Al-Mina'a	Wed. 3^rd of Sep. 03	Erbil
4	Al-Jawiyah x Al-Najaf	Wed. 3^rd of Sep. 03	Mosul
5	Kurdistan team x Al-Sina'ah	Fri. 5^th of Sep. 03	Erbil
6	Al-Mosul x Al-Jawiyah	Fri. 5^th of Sep. 03	Mosul
7	Semi-Final	Sun. 7^th of Sep. 03	Mosul
8	Semi-Final	Mon. 8^th of Sep. 03	Mosul
9	Final	Wed. 10^th of Sep. 03	Mosul

"This is an excellent opportunity for the teams to not only compete but also show the Iraqi people that soccer is alive and well in this country," said Ahmed Al-Sammurai, Chairman of the Interim Iraqi Committee to Administer Sport. "I am delighted that the Coalition Forces are providing the financial support for this tournament."

The 101^st Air Assault Division of the U.S. Army has donated more than $50,000 to fund the games which will be played at the Mosul municipal stadium, and in three stadiums in Erbil. "The Iraqi people love soccer and this promises to be an exciting tournament," said Al-Sammari.

Press Release

PRE-SEASON SOCCER TOURNAMENT TO BE PLAYED IN MOSUL, ERBIL