Crisis in Iraq 16-07-2006 

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) deeply saddened and distressed by the recent events that have transpired in Iraq.  Gunmen kidnapped Mr. Ahmed Al Samarrai, President of the Iraq National Olympic Committee (NOC), Dr. Amir Jabbar Kadum, Secretary General of NOC; Presidents of the Iraqi Boxing and Taekwondo Federations and few others while they were attending a sport conference at Iraq NOC HQ in Baghdad on July 15, 2006 noon time.  OCA leadership and its family fully support the duly elected Iraq NOC and its sport federations.  The OCA family consisting 45 Member NOCs serve the Asian and Olympic Movement selflessly and for the benefit of their respective peoples.

Mr. Ahmed Al Samarrai was suppose to arrive in Kuwait City on July 16 evening to attend the signing ceremony between European Olympic Committees (EOC) and OCA to be held on July 17 aiming to provide the training facilities to Iraqi athletes in various overseas training centers.

The OCA strongly condemns this horrific act of violence against the sport fraternity which is against all human principles and remains hopeful for the safe resolution of this tragic situation at the earliest