MUSCAT, Jan 5 (KUNA) -- Iraqi minister of Sport and Youth Jassem Jaafar said here Monday the Iraqi southern city of Basra would host the 21st Arabian Gulf football Cup in 2013.
Jaafar told a news conference a major football stadium would be built in Basra in addition to courts for basketball, handball and volleyball, olympic size swimming pool and hotels to cost over USD half a billion.
Basra was selected as the venue for the 21st Arabian Gulf Cup because it is Iraq's safest cities and the nearest to the Gulf countries, he said.
Jaafar said the sport facilities would be built over three years. (end) bsu.bs KUNA 052116 Jan 09NNNN