- Title: Iraqi youth adorn Basra with murals ahead of Arabian Gulf Cup
- Date: 3rd January 2023
- Summary: BASRA, IRAQ (DECEMBER 24, 2022) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF YOUNG IRAQI ARTISTS PAINTING MURALS ON WALLS VARIOUS OF ARTIST MIXING COLOURS VARIOUS OF ARTISTS PAINTING VARIOUS OF ARTISTS GATHERED NEAR STADIUM (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DOCTOR AND VOLUNTEER, DALIA AL-HAMDANI, SAYING: "This is a voluntary initiative by nearly 25 people from different jobs who want to contribute to the success of the Arabian Gulf Cup, Khaleeji 25, by painting on the wall of al-Minaa stadium. The murals are diverse, some of them represent Basra's Shanasheel (heritage homes), others Basra's nature, and some represent personalities known in heritage and literature. We aim to make Basra look more beautiful during Khaleeji 25." MURAL VARIOUS OF ARTISTS PAINTING (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DENTISTRY STUDENT, MOHAMMED RAAD, SAYING: "It is the first time for my generation, that of the 2000s, to see a big championship like the Arabian Gulf Cup. Honestly, it is a national motive firstly, and in addition, we are students who love painting and life in general. We want to show the world that we do not only live in wars and miserable lives, we have another part of our life that is beautiful. This part which loves happiness, life and positiveness, and this is the most important thing." PEOPLE WALKING PAST MURALS VARIOUS DRONE SHOTS SHOWING ARTISTS, MURALS AND STADIUM (MUTE) BASRA, IRAQ (JANUARY 1, 2023) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) BASRA RESIDENT, HAIDER DIAA, SAYING: "We are enjoying this atmosphere of Khaleeji 25 championship in Basra, after more than 40 years of absence. The last championship to be held in Iraq was in 1979 in Baghdad. Now Iraq is back to hosting championships. This is definitely proof of a stable security, economic and political situation in Iraq and shows the readiness of Iraq and Basra in particular to host such a championship." VARIOUS OF POSTERS HANGING ON WALLS VARIOUS OF FLAGS OF GULF COUNTRIES PARTICIPATING IN CHAMPIONSHIP IN STREETS BASRA RESIDENT, KAMEL OWAID, TAKING PICTURE OF DAUGHTER (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) BASRA RESIDENT, KAMEL OWAID, SAYING: "It is very sad, championships stopped here, our national team was deprived from playing on our land and our people were deprived from watching our national team on our land. We hope the Arabian Gulf Cup is the start of good things.†BASRA, IRAQ (DECEMBER 24, 2022) (REUTERS) (MUTE) VARIOUS DRONE SHOTS OF STADIUM VARIOUS OF WORKERS PREPARING SOCCER PITCH AT STADIUM
- Embargoed: 17th January 2023 11:30
- Keywords: Arabian Gulf Cup Basra Gulf Iraq
- Location: BASRA, IRAQ
- City: BASRA, IRAQ
- Country: Iraq
- Topics: Middle East,Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA001003103012023RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Murals adorn the streets of the Iraqi southern city of Basra as it braces to host the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup, held for the first time in Iraq since 1979.
Nearly 25 volunteers gathered to paint the murals on the walls of the city's stadiums and streets to welcome the championship scheduled to start on January 6, while flags of participating Gulf countries dotted markets and shops.
"We want to show the world that we do not only live in wars and miserable lives, we have another part of our life that is beautiful. This part which loves happiness, life and positiveness, and this is the most important thing," dentistry student who participated in the initiative, Mohammed Raad, said.
Football governing body FIFA in 2018 partially lifted a ban largely in place since 1990 on Iraq hosting competitive matches over security concerns.
Iraq won the 5th Arabian Gulf Cup that was held in 1979 in Baghdad.
(Production: Mohammed Aty, Maher Nazeh, Mai Shams El-Din) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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