Dr. Kouhpaye Zadeh, President of the Federation, stated that by utilizing the existing capacities of the country and following the para swimming roadmap, the project can be implemented in the best possible way.
He added that swimming is one of the most medal-winning sports in Paralympic and world competitions, and with the positive outlook of the Ministry of Sports and Youth, the federation can achieve impressive medals in this sport. He emphasized the importance of having strategic plans for all sports disciplines within the federation and not forgetting the needs of the community. For example, although boccia has not yet won medals in Paralympic and Para-Asian competitions, it remains one of the popular sports in the target community. Therefore, all sports disciplines should be developed with consideration of the community’s needs and both short-term and long-term plans.
The President also pointed out the lack of a specialized training camp for athletes with disabilities as a deficiency that should be addressed in the future by utilizing provincial capacities to build national team training camps and by leveraging the country’s scientific resources to help develop sports for the disabled.
Dr. Rezakani added that both short-term and long-term plans are necessary. For development, attention should be given to the intake of national teams, inviting provincial coaches of national athletes to camps, sending provincial coaches to competitions, and supporting provincial bases to ensure the para swimming development project is successfully implemented in the medium term.
Beig Rezaei, Director of Elite Sports, emphasized the need to collaborate with associations to define roadmaps and strategic documents for each sport so that, in addition to routine programs, new actions can be taken to develop their respective sports.
Dr. Raghebti, head of the para swimming development and promotion project at the National Paralympic Committee, stated that the project pursues three goals: in the short term, to maximize swimming capacity; in the long term, to identify the country’s hidden potential; and to develop swimming as a community need.
Other participants in the meeting also shared their views on the implementation of the para swimming development project.
