Under the leadership and presence of H.E. Areen Barzani, the founder of Kurdistan Foundation, we hosted a remarkable sports event at Franso Hariri International Stadium in Erbil on 20 October 2025, bringing together 300 representatives of 150 local football clubs from Kirkuk, representing a total of 1,650 young players.

This initiative comes as part of the Kurdistan Foundation’s ongoing commitment to empowering youth and promoting community development through sports, culture, and education. By supporting the participation of Kirkuk’s local football teams, the Kurdistan Foundation aims to foster unity, inspire athletic excellence, and highlight the essential role of sports in strengthening social cohesion and youth engagement.

The event began with a warm welcome, followed by a friendly football match between two Erbil-based teams, symbolizing friendship, and teamwork. Young players from each group also participated in symbolic mini games, representing their local clubs and enjoying a day of camaraderie and shared pride.

Following the matches, H.E. Areen Barzani met with the players and posed for commemorative photos, expressing appreciation for their passion and discipline, and reaffirming the Foundation’s support for their continued development.

The gathering concluded with words of gratitude to all the participants and guests who traveled from Kirkuk to Erbil, reflecting the Foundation’s dedication to creating meaningful opportunities for Kurdish youth. Kurdistan Foundation emphasized that this event marks another step in its broader mission to cultivate a generation of healthy, confident, and active young citizens contributing to Kurdistan’s progress.