Turkish firm to restart Iraqi stadium project

Turkish company the Urcu Grup has agreed a contract to resume work on a 30,000-seat stadium in the Iraqi city of Nasiriyah.

The Nasiriyah Olympic Stadium project dates back to 2014, but had been mothballed amid issues with its original partner. Istanbul-based Urcu, which operates in construction along with a number of other sectors, has agreed a contract with the Iraqi Ministry of Sports through which $40m (£33m/€37.9m) will be invested to complete the project.

Urcu has existing experience in the Iraqi market and hopes to have the stadium finished in two years. Along with the stadium, a 75-room hotel and training complex is part of the wider project. Urcu Grup founder and chairman, Tolga Urcu, said, according to Haber.com: “We are starting a new project with the rich experience we have gained in the Iraqi market. 

“With this project, which was previously initiated by a French company but could not be continued, we will ensure that regional teams compete under better conditions and new talents are brought to the sport. 

“We will complete the project, which will meet the comfort and functionality expectations of athletes with its high-level equipment, in a very short period of two years and bring it to the Iraqi sports world.”

Urcu said his company envisions the project will establish a trade bridge between Turkey and Iraq. He added: “During the construction period, our priority in product supply will be Turkey. We will prioritise further accelerating the commercial activities between the two countries, which have gained momentum in recent years, and reflect the power of the Turkish construction industry in our project.”