The political feud between the Talabani cousins in the Kurdistan Region has spilled onto the football pitch as Qubad Talabani, PUK leader and deputy KRG Prime Minister, appears to be working to isolate and restrict Nawroz Club Stadium in Sulaimani, which is owned by his estranged cousin Lahur Sheikh Jangi.

Operational since last year, Nawroz Stadium quickly rose to prominence, becoming one of Iraq’s most celebrated sporting venues. Thousands of enthusiastic fans regularly attend matches, and the stadium has emerged as a hub for athletes and sports enthusiasts in both Kurdistan and wider Iraq.

The PUK-backed Mayor of Sulaimani claims the location was intended for tourism, asserting: “According to Sulaimani’s master plan, the location of Nawroz Stadium is designated as a green space, not a stadium.” Meanwhile, Lahur Sheikh Jangi counters that the land was officially allocated through an order from Qubad Talabani himself.

Days ago, Sheikh Jangi stated: “At the time, by Qubad Talabani’s order, the municipality allocated that piece of land to Nawroz Sports Club. We will publish all the documents to prove we didn’t build this stadium on encroached land.” The club has since released these documents to support their claim.

Football enthusiasts have embraced the venue for its distinctive architecture, which resembles Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium in the English Premier League. Its design places fans closer to the playing field, departing from traditional Iraqi stadium layouts. However, in Kurdistan and Sulaimani specifically, the political tensions between Lahur Sheikh Jangi and the PUK leadership have created mounting challenges for the stadium’s operations.

Construction began before July 8, 2021 – a pivotal date when Bafel and Qubad Talabani orchestrated what Sheikh Jangi describes as a coup against him. The stadium opened last year, with its master plan and annexes covering approximately 300,000 square meters.

The original blueprint included not only the stadium but also parking facilities, training grounds, restaurants, a hotel, and green spaces – essentially a comprehensive sports complex. However, only the main stadium has been completed, creating a stark contrast between its world-class interior and the undeveloped surroundings, which become dusty in summer and muddy during winter months.

Nawroz Club accuses the PUK of deliberately obstructing further development due to political rivalries, particularly by withholding permission to develop designated parking areas. Consequently, match days see severe congestion, as thousands of fans park cars along nearby main roads, exacerbating traffic issues.

Recent reports suggest the PUK-backed Sulaimani Municipality and Investment Authority may reallocate the surrounding lands to developers for residential apartment construction, potentially reclaiming all land around the stadium from Nawroz Club.

The dilemma for the PUK’s Talabani brothers stems from Sheikh Jangi’s growing influence through the stadium. His visibility at Nawroz Stadium during matches has proven more impactful than his appearances as president of the People’s Front political party. Through the stadium, he has cultivated public support and transferred some of the fans’ enthusiasm to his political standing.

For Sheikh Jangi, Nawroz Club has become a strategic platform to maintain his public presence and expand his political reach. As owner of the largest stadium in the PUK-controlled zone and the only club from that area competing in the Iraqi league, he has positioned himself as the preeminent figure in Sulaimani’s football scene. This prominence has reportedly alarmed the Talabani brothers, who appear determined to constrain Sheikh Jangi’s activities wherever possible.

Nawroz Sports Club Stadium, with its 14,500-seat capacity often accommodating crowds exceeding 20,000, was constructed at a cost of $12 million. Built to FIFA standards by Consul and Sargalw—companies financially linked to Sheikh Jangi—the stadium represents both sporting achievement and political contention.