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TEHRAN – Jalil Koohpayehzadeh, head of Iran’s Sports Federation for the Disabled, emphasized the importance of talent identification among individuals with disabilities during a press conference held at the federation\u2019s headquarters on Monday.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe presented a four-year plan at the election assembly, which was approved by the board. This plan outlines our goals for developing sports. Our utmost effort is to ensure it doesn\u2019t just remain on paper but is actively implemented. Along this journey, we welcome both support and constructive criticism to address any shortcomings,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of our key objectives is to enhance knowledge by organizing training courses that prioritize sports development. We have excellent coaches, but we\u2019re not satisfied with their current numbers and aim to train more. Talent identification is a major focus for us,\u201d he added.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must nurture a new generation to build reserves for our national teams across various disciplines. To achieve this, we\u2019ve divided the country into six regions where talent identification and athlete classification programs will be conducted. Talent identification without proper classification is ineffective\u2014our slogan is continuous talent scouting,\u201d the head of federation stated. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe plan to participate in the 2025 Asian Youth Para Games with four disciplines, though I hope this number grows. Training for various disciplines began in August, and we\u2019re ready to compete. We need youth teams, junior teams, and age-group teams prepared for any competition. The main sitting volleyball team are set to compete in the 2028 Paralympics, while the second team will participate in the 2026 Asian Para Games in Nagoya.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He also highlighted the broader societal impact: “Society needs physical activity, and this must be a priority in large-scale plans. Our efforts should begin in schools, where the media plays an unparalleled role in promoting this culture. We also plan to hold a university Olympiad for Paralympic disciplines, hosted by the Islamic Azad University.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Addressing specific sports, Koohpayehzadeh noted, \u201cPara powerlifting is our second most successful medal-winning sport after athletics. Training for the youth team began in August, and after just a few months, they\u2019re already setting national records. The women\u2019s team are a priority for us, and we\u2019re giving it special attention. We need to develop young athletes capable of performing at the level of our greatest champions,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n