KRG’s Education Ministry urges schools to support Zakho SC in FIFA fan vote

ERBIL — Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Education has officially called on teachers, staff, and students to vote for Zakho Sports Club in an ongoing poll recognizing the 2025 FIFA Fan Award.

In a statement, the ministry described Zakho SC as a Kurdish team currently nominated for best global fan base and encouraged education directorates across the region to circulate the voting link within school administrative and social media groups.

The nomination follows a match on May 13 in the Iraqi Stars League against Al-Hudood, when thousands of Zakho fans threw toys onto the pitch as part of a coordinated campaign to donate them to sick children — a move that was widely shared across social media and praised for its compassion and community spirit.

The ministry wrote that the campaign aims to support Zakho Sports Club fans, and asked the education community to participate in the vote through FIFA’s official website. Voting will remain open for four days.

It marks the first time fans of a Kurdish or Iraqi football club have been shortlisted for the honor, which celebrates exceptional moments of passion or solidarity by football supporters.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani urged Iraqi sports fans and club associations last week to support Zakho SC fans. Earlier, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani announced he has voted for Zakho SC supporters in the FIFA Fan Award and called on people across the region and the Kurdish diaspora to join him in backing their nomination.

Zakho fans join two other nominees: Argentine supporter Alejandro Ciganotto and the late Spanish national team fan Manuel Cáceres, known as “Manolo the Drummer.”