Baghdad – IA – Maitham Al-Khafaji
The coach of our Olympic football team confirmed that the main goal of the UAE camp is to give an opportunity to the new faces that were called to support the team, pointing out that the team delegation will travel to the UAE on the previously scheduled date, which is the twelfth of this month, to hold the external camp.
Radhi Shanishil told the (INA), today, Sunday: “The training curriculum included holding an internal gathering in Basra, but it was canceled due to time constraints, and we decided to go directly to the Emirates to set up the camp and play a group of trial matches in the form of a mini-tournament, as we will face… The teams of Egypt, Ghana and the Emirates,” noting that “this camp comes in preparation for the Asian qualifying finals for the Paris 2024 Olympics, which will be hosted by the Qatari capital, Doha, during the period from April 15 to next May 3.”
Shenaishil added, “This camp will be held without the presence of professional players as it is outside the days of FIFA Day, and no player can be pressured to be present in the gathering, so most of the local players have been summoned,” indicating that “the goal of this camp is to expand the team’s base.” And giving an opportunity for new faces to be supportive of the basic squad that will compete in the official competition.”
Shenaishil explained, “This camp will last for two weeks, after which the team will participate in another external camp during the month of March, within the days of (FIFA Day), and will witness the presence of local and professional players.”