Iraq will not host the 23rd Gulf football Cup because of the State budget deficit and will instead bid for the 24th Gulf Cup, the Ministry of Youth and Sport announced Monday.
"Due to the large deficit in the budget of the State of Iraq, the higher coordination sport committee has decided to reconsider hosting of the next edition of the Gulf Cup, and to officially submit an official request to host the 24th edition of the Cup," the ministry said in a statement.
It added that Iraq had a strong desire to host the 23rd Gulf Cup in the southern city of Basra, but the huge budget deficit forced the committee to reconsider the organization of the event, however requesting to host the next Cup.
The ministry thanked football federations of the Arabian Gulf countries for their support of Iraq to host the tournament.
Source: KUNA