Ministry of Youth — Public Service Announcement – Iraqis asked to organize sports, recreation programs — 11 أيار 2003 Arabic

Ministry of Youth Public Service Announcement – Iraqis asked to organize sports, recreation programs May 11, 2003 The former Iraq Olympic Committee is no more, and anyone with ties to it is now gone. The National Olympic Committee was an instrument of torture, repression, and corruption of the prior government. It is hereby dissolved. We want everyone to understand that anyone who presumes authority has none. We also want the people of Iraq to express their freedom by organizing voluntary youth sports and community recreation. There will be sporting events in the near future that you can be a part of. The national and Olympic football teams remain cohesive and will be holding matches that you can attend and celebrate a long tradition of sports excellence. The Provisional Coalition Authority realizes the Olympic Committee led by Uday Hussein was used to oppress and torture athletes. Positive role models will be a part of the new Olympic committee. Athletes will no longer fear harsh punishments after poor performance. The formation of the future Olympic committee will be led by Iraqi athletic legends who will make Iraqis proud. These men and women will help bring Iraq back to international competition by attending world competition planning events. This is a monumental event that ends a twelve-year hiatus from international competition. We can take pride in our national sports again. All assets of any kind of the National Olympic Committee, Uday Hussein, or any entity associated with them, are now the property of the Iraqi people. Those in possession of such property may not sell or dispose of it; they must hold and preserve the property until directed to surrender it to an appropriate authority. Those who violate this order will be held accountable and will be subject to such punishment as a Coalition or Iraqi authority may direct. ORHA International Press Information Center POC: Matt Burrell