Dr. Ghafour Kargari, President of the National Paralympic Committee, emphasized the necessity of precise and strategic planning in the field of veterans and disabled sports and called for the restoration of the true status of Paralympic sports in Iran. He stated that maintaining and repeating Iran’s second-place position at the Para-Asian Games is a serious and achievable goal.
According to the Public Relations office of the Federation, Dr. Kargari spoke at the Federation’s General Assembly, highlighting that the Veterans and Disabled Sports Federation is one of the most important federations in the country. He praised the significant achievements made in recent years that must be preserved while advancing the development path with determination. Achieving second place at the Hangzhou Para-Asian Games was a great honor that should be repeated at the next games in Nagoya.
He further noted the importance of Paralympic sports veterans and disabled athletes and the necessity to pay attention to the cultural aspects of this field, suggesting that specific points, especially regarding swimming and athletics—which are among the priorities—should be more emphasized in the Federation’s strategic document.
Dr. Kargari also referred to inter-organizational cooperation in the development of sports for people with disabilities, stating that the Veterans and Disabled Sports Federation, the National Paralympic Committee, and the Ministry of Sports and Youth have several programs underway to enhance this sport sector. He stressed that these efforts require more cohesion and collaboration for implementation. Key priorities include implementing a fundamental transformation plan in Paralympic sports, developing intellectual movements in this area, and restoring the true status of Paralympic sports nationally.
In conclusion, Dr. Kargari expressed gratitude for the diligent efforts of Dr. Koohpayehzadeh and provincial officials, highlighting the need for serious attention to provincial federations. He recommended holding specialized sessions to create better conditions for advancing Paralympic sports development across the country.
