PRT WASIT:OPENING OF YOUTH AND SPORTS CENTERS

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002187

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/11/2018
TAGS: PGOV IR
SUBJECT: PRT WASIT:OPENING OF YOUTH AND SPORTS CENTERS

Classified By: PRT Team Leader Robert Kagler for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d
).


1. (U) This is a PRT Wasit reporting cable.

2. (C) Summary: Three Youth and Sports Centers located in
Badrah, Numaniyah, and Al Kut were opened with elaborate
ceremonies on July 9 by the Minister of Youth and Sport
Jassim Mohammad Ja'far, along with the Wasit Governor and
Provincial Council Chairman. Thirteen centers are being
built or rebuilt in Wasit province, all of which are being
funded and contracted for by the Iraqi government. Although
The Al Kut center appeared well-constructed and
well-furnished, there was no sign of sports equipment or the
internet center promised by the Wasit Director General of
Youth and Sport. End Summary.

3. (C) A hot southern Iraq afternoon played host to the
opening ceremony of the new Al Kut Youth and Sport Center.
Jassim Mohammad Ja'far, National Minister of Youth and Sport,
cut the opening ribbon and oversaw the killing of a sheep to
dedicate the new Al Kut Youth and Sport Center in the Horra
district of Al Kut. Minister Ja'far and the Wasit Director
General of Youth and Sport both spoke at length to a
gathering of some 200 people including Wasit Governor Turfa,
the PRT Deputy Team Leader, PRT POL and PD representatives
and the Commander of the 41st Fires Brigade. The event was
covered by nine media agencies including Al Baghdadia TV, Al
Iraqia TV, Al Masaar TV, Al Salaam TV, and Al Nahrain TV.
The Al Kut center was one of four youth centers opened across
Wasit province on 9 July. The others, located in Badrah,
Numaniyah, and Muafakia are three of thirteen youth centers
either being constructed or renovated by the Iraqi government
(5 new and 8 rebuilt) throughout Wasit province. Work on the
centers began last September and all thirteen are expected to
be finished later this year.

4. (C) The new IQD 600 million (500,000 USD) Al Kut Youth and
Sport Center was funded and contracted by the Iraqi
government. It is designed to serve as an active youth
center and headquarters of the Youth and Sport Ministry in
Wasit province. The center, under the jurisdiction of the
Wasit Director General for Sport Mr. Salam Al Faali,
contained numerous well-equipped offices but no sports or
computer equipment.

5. (C) Comment: The opening of well-constructed centers is
testament to the increased capability of the provincial
government to fund, contract, and oversee projects. However,
there was little evidence of the facilities or equipment
required to conduct the long list of services the center is
supposed to provide, including educational services, art
classes, lectures, team sports, and internet access. At
present one is left with the distinct impression that local
bureaucrats have provided well stocked and air conditioned
offices for themselves and little if anything for the people.
End Comment.
CROCKER