Baghdad, Iraq, June 8, 2026: The President of the Iraqi Hockey Federation, Khalil Yassine, met the Executive Director of the Spanish Hockey Federation, Yorni Arnao, on Saturday, June 6 in Madrid to discuss ways to promote cooperation and develop the game in Iraq.
The meeting was also attended by Nasser Al-Hashmi, the representative of the Iraq National Olympic Committee in Spain.
Both sides emphasised the importance of strengthening the sporting relations between the two countries and implementing joint programmes that contribute to the promotion of hockey and fulfilling the aspirations of the Iraqi Hockey Federation to elevate the game at regional and international level.
The meeting addressed mechanisms for holding joint training camps for athletes as well as programmes to benefit coaches and referees. The possibility of Iraqi players being included in Spanish competition so as to raise their skill levels was also explored.
The visit came about as a result of an invitation from the Spanish Hockey Federation, supported by the Iraq NOC. It is part of a wider sports cooperation agreement between Spain and Iraq in order to develop athletes, coaches and referees in a number of sports, including hockey.
Spain is in the top 10 in both men’s and women’s world rankings.
