updated 4:32 p.m. ET Sept. 6, 2006

BAGHDAD, Iraq - The father of a popular Iraqi soccer player kidnapped on his way to a training session issued an emotional appeal for his son’s release on Wednesday.

Ghanim Ghudayer, 22, a member of Iraq’s Olympic team and a star on Baghdad’s Air Force Club, was kidnapped Sunday in western Baghdad. Jarallah Ghudayer called on the Iraqi government and humanitarian organizations to help him find his son.

“We pray to Almighty God and we call on the government and all Islamic and international organizations and clerics to help us release our son,” he said.

Police said some of the kidnappers had been dressed in military uniform.

Assistant coach and soccer player Radhi Shinishil said athletes stood above the country’s ethnic and religious divides.

“The abduction of our colleague Ghanim Ghudayer is a grave precedent,” he said. “The players don’t represent any community or party. The sportsmen represent the whole of Iraq.”

Iraqi sports officials and athletes have frequently faced threats, kidnappings and assassination attempts. Ghudayer was kidnapped days before he was to leave for Syria, where he signed a one-year contract with a team.

The Air Force Club, founded in 1931, is one of the oldest soccer clubs in Iraq.

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