KRG PM Grants Over $320,000 to Newroz Sports Club Amid Financial Crisis; Qubad Talabani Criticizes 'Temporary Fixes'

Peregraf- The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Masrour Barzani, has allocated 450 million Iraqi Dinars ($321,000) to Newroz Sports Club to help the team overcome a severe financial crisis that followed the August 22 incident at Lalezar Hotel in Sulaymaniyah.

According to an announcement on the KRG’s official website, the financial assistance was granted through the Prime Minister’s office to “support the advancement of sports and athletes in the Kurdistan Region, enabling them to represent the region in various events at high levels.”

Newroz Sports Club, which competes in the Iraqi Premier League, is owned by Lahur Sheikh Jangi, leader of the People’s Front (Baray Gal). The group claims that a large amount of the club’s funds was confiscated on the day of the Lalezar Hotel attack, pushing the club into financial turmoil. Despite efforts by Sheikh Jangi’s legal team to recover the money, no government clarification has been issued, nor has the money been returned, according to the group.

The emergency financial support for the club has prompted political response. Speaking today, Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani stressed that sustainable structural reform is needed to support Kurdistan  Region’s sports sector.

“We support the sports sector fundamentally, not with temporary fixes,” Talabani said. “Any step taken without law and without a budget is temporary and merely a patch.”

Talabani added that the government formed a sports board more than a year ago and has since drafted a comprehensive plan to develop the sector. He said some steps have already been implemented.

“We are working toward professionalizing sports and strengthening sports infrastructure through legislation in both Kurdistan and Baghdad,” he stated. “We want to secure an annual dedicated sports budget by resolving the broader budget issues. Anything else is temporary and will not impact the development of the sports sector.”

The Lalezar Hotel incident, which triggered the crisis faced by Newroz, remains subject to political and legal contention as the club’s management continues efforts to regain its funds. The latest financial contribution aims to stabilize the club in the short term, as broader discussions continue over long-term funding mechanisms for sports in the Kurdistan Region.