Iran NPC,
Tehran- With 200 days to go until the 5th Asian Youth Para Games in Dubai, Dr.
Saeid Solgi, Deputy of Championship Sports at the Iran National Paralympic
Committee (NPC), shared insights into Iran’s ambitious plans for maximum
participation at the event.
"Following
Uzbekistan’s withdrawal from hosting the 5th edition of the Asian Youth Para
Games (AYPG), Dubai stepped in to organize the event. This change led to
adjustments in the sports program. Boccia, wheelchair basketball, para-archery,
table tennis, and para-badminton were added, while shooting para sport was
removed from the lineup," explained Dr. Solgi.
"As a
result, Dubai 2025 AYPG sports programme includes: Para-Athletics, Para-Swimming,
Para-Powerlifting, Para-Badminton, Para-Taekwondo, Para-Archery, Para-Table Tennis,
Wheelchair Basketball, Boccia, and Goalball," he added.
"In line
with the Iran NPC’s development strategy, preparation camps for the Asian Youth
Para Games kicked off in October 2024, immediately after the Paris 2024
Paralympic Games. Some multi-sport camps have already started during the Paris
2024 Games due to their importance in nurturing future senior team
athletes," Solgi noted.
"Our
preliminary plan is to finalize the list of athletes by mid-August. However,
the official delegation will be confirmed after the Organizing Committee
announces the final quota deadlines."
"According
to the NPCs' quota allocations, Iran’s approach is clear: to send the highest
possible number of athletes. This strategy aligns with the Iran NPC’s long-term
goal of building a strong foundation for senior national teams. On the occasion
of the 2024 Iran's National Paralympic Day, we also organized a major Talent Identification
Festival in Tehran, where many youths and teens were recruited into various
para sports," he emphasized.
"We also
invited top young performers of national championships and club competitions to
the national team training camps," Solgi added.
"Beyond the
athletes and coaches, a large number of support staff from the IRI Sports Federations for the Enabled, IRI Sports Federations for the Blind, IRI Taekwondo Federation, and IRI Badminton Federation are working tirelessly to ensure National Youth Para-Athletes' preparation for Dubai 2025. Iran NPC deeply appreciate the contributions and efforts of these cooperative federations and their staff," he concluded.
Iran topped the
medal table of the 4th Asian Youth Para Games, with 122 medals including 44
gold, held in Manama, Bahrain, from 2 to 6 December 2021.
The 5th Asian
Youth Para Games will take place in Dubai, UAE, from December 7 to 14, 2025.
Dubai also hosted the third edition of the Games back in 2017.
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