Iran looks to sports to break tensions
By Ko Dong-hwan
Shahrokh Shahnazi, secretary-general of Iran’s National Olympic Committee
Iran sees sports as a way to deepen people-to-people exchanges despite tensions over Tehran’s nuclear program, an official said on the sidelines of the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.
Shahrokh Shahnazi, secretary-general of Iran’s National Olympic Committee, told The Korea Times that the country would continue to welcome sports diplomacy with the West.
Iranian athletes are bolstering their reputation on the playing field as well, the official said, citing the country’s emphasis on sports.
Iran’s participation in the Games follows a rare bout of sports diplomacy with Washington, which saw Tehran send a volleyball team to California.
“For us as the Islamic Republic of Iran, we don’t have any problem with people of the U.S. and their practices. We respect them,” Shahnazi, 60, said in the interview held last Thursday.
“The problems that we face (involve) the government of the U.S., not the people. Sports are about people, not government. And athletes are people,” he said.
The official expressed his hope to build strong relations with the U.S. Olympic committee, as well as non-governmental groups seeking to engage in sports diplomacy. However, he warned that exchanges don’t necessarily “mean that we will build the relationship with them politically.”
The Incheon games come as Washington and five other world powers negotiate with Tehran over its nuclear program in exchange for the easing of sanctions.
Separately, Seoul’s foreign minister Yun Byung-se last week met with his Iranian counterpart at the U.N. General Assembly in a bid to forge closer ties.
The games have been an opportunity for the Middle Eastern country to showcase its athletic prowess, especially in basketball and volleyball.
On Sunday, the Iranian basketball team defeated seven-time winners China, advancing to a semifinal match against Kazakhstan on Wednesday.
The men’s volleyball team also has lofty goals, with coach Slobodan Kovac saying, “There are high expectations in Iran for us to win this competition.”
Shahnazi said Iran the country prepares extensively for international competitions.
“We have training camps in both inside and outside the country. We send athletes to have practices with other countries’ athletes. There are psychologists who talk to (athletes) and prepare them to be able to participate in international events.
He said the country has been investing in basketball and volleyball for some 15 years, and that in addition to the national team, Iranians play in Asian and European leagues.
In July, the basketball team won the 2014 FIBA Asia Cup in China, defeating Taiwan. They also took the gold at the FIBA Asian Championships in 2007, 2009 and 2013, led by former NBA player Hamed Haddadi.
The volleyball team has emerged victorious at various regional tournaments and finished sixth at the 2014 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship in August.
Shahnazi expressed discontent with the food provided by the Asian Games committee, saying it was too spicy for international athletes. However, he did field several calls from members of his delegation wanting to see more of Korea.
“I just arranged a car to take three athletes outside the Athletes’ Village. They will probably shop and watch films in the city,” he said.