Coinciding with Communications and Public Relations Day, a press conference was held with Dr. Kouhpaye Zadeh, President of the Federation of Sports for Veterans and Persons with Disabilities, and members of the media.
According to the Federation’s Public Relations, Dr. Kouhpaye Zadeh opened the session by congratulating all journalists and photographers, especially those covering sports news, on Communications and Public Relations Day. He emphasized the importance of promoting physical activity among veterans and persons with disabilities, highlighting the media’s crucial role in this cultural development. He noted that the quality of life for these individuals is closely tied to their ability to move and commute, and that organizations such as the Welfare Organization and municipalities are working to improve accessibility.
He continued: Changing societal attitudes requires media action. Another key issue is the involvement of benefactors and financial supporters in social responsibility to support sports for veterans and persons with disabilities. While benefactors are very active in building schools and hospitals, he expressed hope that they would also contribute to sports by constructing appropriate facilities and equipment for people with disabilities.
Appreciation for the Minister’s Support
Dr. Kouhpaye Zadeh added that, in preparation for the Nagoya Para-Asian Games, three specialized meetings were held with the Minister of Sports and Youth, his deputies, and officials from the National Olympic and Paralympic Committees. He valued the positive and supportive outlook he observed from the ministry’s leadership, describing it as progressive and unprecedented in recent decades. In the third meeting, the Minister described work in this federation as the most challenging, and Kouhpaye Zadeh expressed gratitude for the ministry’s support. He also acknowledged the positive environment at the National Paralympic Committee.
The Modern World Relies on Artificial Intelligence
The federation president stated that, just as spectators are the twelfth player in football, the media is the main supporter in reflecting the activities and successes of athletes with disabilities. He highlighted the importance of forward-looking perspectives and the necessity of embracing technology, particularly artificial intelligence. Thanks to the Ministry’s efforts, a platform called “Hamta” was established to utilize AI in sports, which will be integrated into the federation’s programs. Talent identification, once conducted through festivals, is now being pursued nationwide with the help of technology and software, allowing individuals with disabilities to register and join the growing sports community, thereby facilitating the discovery of new talents.
He mentioned that the “Sports and People” initiative was approved by the Ministry of Sports and Youth, and the federation advocated for the inclusion of a section dedicated to veterans and persons with disabilities. This initiative addresses physical inactivity in society, and the federation aims to expand mass sports participation in this field, not just focus on elite sports.
28 Active National Teams for Men and Women
Dr. Kouhpaye Zadeh stated that the federation oversees nine Paralympic and eight non-Paralympic sports, with 28 national teams for men and women. In May alone, there were 2,000 athlete-days spent in training camps, and two international trips were made since the start of the year. Notably, medals and quotas were secured in para-swimming at the Singapore competitions by both youth and adult athletes. At the Gymnasiade, 12 para-athletics athletes participated and won 14 medals. Efforts are underway to secure the main field at Shiroudi Complex for training national teams in para-athletics, seven-a-side football, and women’s five-a-side football.
He announced that five trips are planned for June and July, including the Asia-Oceania Sitting Volleyball Championship in China, the 3×3 Basketball Asia-Oceania Championship, the Asia Para-Archery Championship, a sitting volleyball tournament in the Netherlands with the world’s top 10 teams, and a multi-nation sitting volleyball event in Mashhad. Invitations have been extended to teams from Kazakhstan, Russia, Egypt, and Brazil, requiring support from the Ministry, the National Paralympic Committee, and the World ParaVolley Organization. Participation in the World Table Football Championships in Spain is also planned. The national para-billiards championship was held in cooperation with the Billiards Federation, and there are plans to activate such sports for women as well. The women’s five-a-side football festival was hosted in Zanjan, with the aim of forming a national team in the coming months. The women’s para-swimming competitions under IPC supervision will also be held to further engage enthusiasts in this discipline.
He added that national championships are being held according to the sports calendar, and the national para-athletics club league, under IPC supervision, was conducted for both men and women. Next week, Kerman will host the national seven-a-side football championship. The national ID futsal championship was held in Tonekabon to form the national team for the World Championships in Spain.
Simultaneous Development of Women’s and Intellectually Disabled Sports
He emphasized that the federation is simultaneously developing women’s sports and sports for people with intellectual disabilities. Since last year, efforts have been made to enhance the knowledge of referees and coaches through both online and in-person courses, as there isn’t enough time to train new coaches and referees from scratch. Education is highly important, and these training sessions have been held at both the federation and provincial levels, as coaches play a vital role in developing both elite and mass sports.
Regarding the memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Sports and Youth, he said it will be announced in the coming days and expressed gratitude for the transparency. This demonstrates the ministry’s seriousness and commitment. Similar agreements will be signed with the National Paralympic Committee, all associations, and provincial boards to clarify mutual commitments and enhance efficiency by leveraging their resources. Twelve provinces have already expressed readiness to host various camps and competitions, and specialized training bases are being activated in the provinces to strengthen their grassroots and standards.
He noted that, following the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution’s resolution, positive developments have occurred in the provinces. Meetings with the Islamic Consultative Assembly, sports councils, and provincial officials have led to the implementation of this resolution in several provinces, marking a valuable opportunity to leverage the synergy of executive agencies for the development of sports for veterans and persons with disabilities.
Addressing the limited share of disabled sports in sports infrastructure, he cited the Minister’s repeated emphasis on the inclusion of people with severe disabilities, which requires companions. He called for a shift in management perspective, budgeting, and greater social and philanthropic participation to ensure that sports for veterans and persons with disabilities receive their fair share. He thanked the Athletics Federation for providing space and building ramps to facilitate access for athletes with disabilities, describing this as a highly valuable initiative.
Federation Budget Doubled Compared to Last Year
Regarding the agreed budget with the Ministry and the Paralympic Committee, he refrained from stating a specific figure, as the Ministry will announce it. However, he confirmed that the budget has doubled compared to last year, while the Ministry’s overall budget increased by about 50%. He expressed gratitude for this action. This year, the federation will participate in the Youth Para-Asian Games with seven teams and the Islamic Countries Games with three teams, as well as qualification events for the Para-Asian and Paralympic Games. ID sports athletes are also preparing for various events. He expects increased support from the Paralympic Committee, which, despite its own budget challenges, strives to fulfill all commitments. Last year, 40% of the federation’s budget came from the Ministry, 40% from the National Paralympic Committee, and 20% from the private sector, with hopes to increase the private sector’s share to 40%.
On Sitting Volleyball, he said that, following the program with the Ministry and the National Paralympic Committee, the focus has been on maintaining a strong national sitting volleyball team and ensuring its global stability, resulting in the formation of two teams.
Aiming to Build a Training Center for National Teams
He noted that from early May, the national para-archery team camp was held at Shiroudi Complex’s Field No. 1, though access is limited. Efforts are underway to secure the main field for open-air training, and the Development Company has been supportive. Given the proximity to the federation, there are plans to expand training and dormitory facilities, aiming for a national team training camp with a 300-person capacity in Tehran, free zones, or another city. Until then, the current camp will be strengthened, and efforts will be made to utilize available equipment and infrastructure.
Regarding the national sitting volleyball team and recent controversies, he stated that the team’s current world-leading status is the result of years of collective effort. One key initiative has been building a strong pipeline for successful teams, now including an under-25 squad whose first experience against top teams will be at the Mashhad tournament. Globally, it is common for athletes to rest after major events like the Paralympics. The national team’s training camp has now started, and plans are underway to launch beach sitting volleyball as well.
On recent controversies, he said that while coordination meetings are held, different narratives may appear in the media. All must operate under unified management. The team traveling to the Netherlands will include some members from the Nagoya team. The best athletes should be on the Los Angeles Paralympic team, and this coordination exists at the association and federation levels. The second team is not a “B team” but a hope team, and performance in upcoming competitions will determine Los Angeles team selection. In the Para-Asian Games, the sitting volleyball team did not lose a single set. Iran always competes at full strength in Asia, but even a second team could win the championship if it maintains the same quality. There is ample talent, and having several teams increases flexibility.
Sareh Javanmardi Is a Sports Ambassador and Always Welcome on the National Team
Regarding Sareh Javanmardi, he said that after the competitions, she indicated she might not continue. He personally hoped she would participate in the Nagoya Para-Asian Games, but if not, her abilities could be utilized at the Los Angeles Paralympics. As a national champion, she has made unique contributions, and while there are other capable athletes in the same event, the federation appreciates her efforts and allows athletes to make decisions based on their lives. She is a sports ambassador, and the invitation to join the team remains open.
On the dedicated camp for para-archery, he noted that Zahra Nemati, now the national team head coach, has been actively pursuing this, resulting in the allocation of a suitable field at the Azadi Complex. The hope is to establish a specialized camp for this discipline.
Dr. Kouhpaye Zadeh also discussed the use of artificial intelligence, noting the development of software in collaboration with a science and technology park to support inter-camp training. AI is also being used in talent identification, and the creation of electronic health records for athletes’ physical and mental profiles is underway.
He concluded by stating that table tennis is one of the most popular sports for veterans and persons with disabilities. The needs of the community and the widespread appeal of this sport have prompted its reintegration into the federation.
