A cordial meeting was held between the President of irisfd associations.
According to the Public Relations Department of the Veterans and Disabled Sports Federation, Dr. Koohpayehzadeh, the federation’s president, met with officials from various sports associations in a warm and collaborative session.
During the meeting, Dr. Koohpayehzadeh expressed his gratitude for the efforts and activities of sports associations in both Paralympic and non-Paralympic disciplines throughout 2023. He highlighted the exceptional performance of some associations, particularly during the Paris Paralympic Games, where the federation secured a significant share of medals for the national delegation.
“I am thankful for the outstanding results achieved in Paris, and I commend the hard work of everyone involved,” he said. “In addition to the Paris Paralympics, our national 7-a-side football team won the World Cup for the first time, which is a remarkable achievement. I hope this success marks the beginning of continued excellence for our 7-a-side football team.”
Dr. Koohpayehzadeh also announced plans to hold monthly meetings with sports associations to exchange ideas and take stronger steps toward future successes.
Focus on Women’s Sports and Talent Development
The federation president acknowledged that women’s sports have not yet been given the attention they deserve. However, he praised the achievements of female veterans and disabled athletes, which have positioned Iran as a leading country in the development of women’s Paralympic sports.
“We must identify talented female athletes and increase their participation to achieve gender parity in sports,” he emphasized. “This is a crucial and valuable goal for us.”
National Championships and Regional Competitions
Dr. Koohpayehzadeh stressed the importance of national championships in identifying talented athletes. He revealed plans to organize national competitions in both Paralympic and non-Paralympic disciplines in the coming year, with a focus on reducing travel costs for athletes and teams by holding regional events.
“National championships remain a vital platform for discovering sports talents,” he said. “We must ensure these competitions are held across various disciplines.”
Club and League Competitions
The federation president also highlighted the significance of club and league competitions. He noted that wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball leagues are currently active, but efforts are needed to increase the number of club teams in these disciplines.
“In 2023, we held club competitions in athletics, and we aim to expand club-level events to all disciplines in the coming year,” he added.
Training and Talent Identification
Dr. Koohpayehzadeh underscored the importance of training and talent identification programs. He called for the organization of educational workshops to enhance the knowledge of coaches and referees, as well as talent scouting initiatives at the provincial level to identify and nurture young athletes.
“Young talents are the foundation of our future national teams,” he said. “We must invest in their development.”
Upcoming Events in 2024
Looking ahead, Dr. Koohpayehzadeh outlined a busy schedule for 2024, including participation in the Asian Youth Para Games, the Islamic Solidarity Games, and qualification events for the Nagoya Asian Para Games and the Paralympics.
“With proper planning and collaboration with sports associations, I am confident we will continue to see our national athletes shine on the international stage,” he concluded.
During the meeting, officials from the sports associations also shared their insights and suggestions, fostering a collaborative environment aimed at advancing the goals of the federation and supporting athletes with disabilities.
