Sport in Iran
Encyclopedia
Many sports are practiced in Iran
, both traditional and modern. Tehran
, for example, was the first city in the Middle East
to host the Asian Games
in 1974, and continues to host and participate in major international sporting events to this day. Freestyle wrestling
has been traditionally regarded as Iran's national sport
, however today, the most popular sport in Iran is football (soccer)
. The annual government's budget for sport was about $80 million in 2010 or about $1 dollar per person.
The society attached special status to sportsmen who thanks to their physical strength and courage, defended their family and homeland when the need arose.
They were welcomed everywhere with much enthusiasm, the people took much pride in their sportsmen and praised and admired them for their courageous deeds.
According to their religious teaching, the Iranian Zoroastrians in their prayers sought first the beauties of heaven
and then physical strength and mental power. They believed in a healthy and powerful body.
The ancient Iranians attached spiritual
meaning to their spoils activities which they modeled on their weapons. Even the Mages (religious sages) while engaging in prayers in their temples held a mace in their hands, not unlike the British bishops who hung swords on their belts.
Avesta
, the sacred book of the ancient religions of Iran glorifies the champions and sportsmen as much, if not more than saints and men of God. The older generation made arrangements for the ancient narratives and epics to be read to the young either from books or from those who had learned them from their elders.
This tradition has survived until today and outlived the rest of ages. Thus, even today, it can be observed that among the tribes and in the tea- houses storytelling is practiced with the same enthusiasm as it was in bygone ages.
The extent to which the Iranians were interested in their hero
es and champions is revealed, among other things, by the fact that in the Persian language
there are over 30 words to label the concept of a hero or champion.
In ancient Iran, youths under 24 years of age received thorough training in the sport of their time which included miming
, horsemanship, polo
, dart throwing, wrestling
, boxing
, archery
, fencing
, etc. They were taught under conditions of severe hardship so that when the need arose they could endure the adverse conditions of war such as hunger
, thirst
, fatigue, heat
, cold
, etc.
, 2000
, 2004
and 2008 Summer Olympics
combined, a total of six women represented Iran.
has a very long tradition and history in Iran
and often even referred to as its national sport
. There are many styles of folk wrestling, from Varzesh-e Pahlavani
to Zurkhaneh
which have similarities with modern freestyle wrestling
.
Both freestyle
and Greco-Roman wrestling
, particularly freestyle, are popular in Iran. mazandaran
is the main power in the country and wrestling is part of its culture. Tehran
, Kermanshah
, Khorasan and Hamedan also produce many talented wrestlers.
With a history of great wrestlers, such as Gholamreza Takhti
(four-time champion at freestyle wrestling World Championships
: 1959, 1963, 1998 and 2002), Iran is considered among the elite nations in this sport.
It is believed that Polo first originated in Persia ages ago. The poet Firdowsi described royal polo tournaments in his 9th century epic, the Shahnameh
. Polo competitions are the subject of many traditional painting
s in Iran.
Despite the emphasis in Islam
on learning the equestrian
arts, in modern times, especially after the 1979 Iranian revolution, the equestrian sports fell out of favor in Iran, as they were associated with the aristocracy
. However, recent signs suggest that it may be witnessing a comeback with renewed interest in the sport.
Horse racing
is a very popular sport between Turkmens
of Iran, and there are two great Gimnasium of horse racing at Gonbad-e Qabus
and Bandar Torkaman
. Competitions are not international and not broadcasted but considerable prizes are given to winners. Lottery
only for horse racing (and archery
) is not prohibited in Islam.
and some card games, it fell out of official favor after the revolution. However, this did not diminish its popularity with the general population. In recent years, restrictions on the game have been softened, but tournaments have yet to be officially sanctioned. And that is why backgammon is considered a traditional sport. The oldest backgammon in the world along with 60 pieces has been unearthed in southeastern Iran.
) pre-dated chess in India (Chatrang). Chess later spread from Persia into other nations in the Islamic world.
three times (1978, 1998 and 2006), has won AFC Asian Cup three times (1968 AFC Asian Cup
, 1972 AFC Asian Cup
and 1976 AFC Asian Cup
) and four times has reached to gold medal
at Asian Games
(1974, 1990, 1998 and 2002).
Particularly in the past 10 years, with the launch of Iran's Premier Football League, considerable progress has been made. some Iranian players now play in major European leagues, and some Iranian clubs have hired European players or coaches.
Iranian clubs (Esteghlal and Pas) three times win Asian Club Championship
(1970, 1991, 1993), but last championship of an Iranian team at AFC Champions League dated back to 1992-3 season.
Like all other sports, adequate football facilities are limited in Iran. Iran's largest football stadium is the Azadi Stadium
with a seating capacity
of 100,000. Home Stadium of Esteghlal and Perspolis (Most Popular Iranian Clubs) and where that national matches are held.
and bodybuilding
have always held favor among Iranians and with the recent success of world record-holding super-heavyweight lifter Hossein Reza Zadeh, or Sidney Olympics Gold Medalist, Hossein Tavakoli
, the sport has been returned to a rather high status.
Iran is home to numerous mountainous regions, many of which are suitable for skiing, and are gaining increasing popularity among foreign visitors.
Skiing began in Iran in 1938 through the efforts of two German railway engineers. Today, 13 ski resorts operate in Iran, the most famous being Tochal
, Dizin
, and Shemshak
. All are within one to three hours traveling time of Tehran
. Potentially suitable terrain can also be found in Lorestan, Mazandaran, and other provinces.
The Tochal
resort is the world's fifth-highest ski resort at over 3,730 m at its highest 7th station. The resort was completed in 1976 shortly before the overthrow of the Shah. It is only a mere 15 minutes away from Tehran's northern districts, and operates 7 months a year.
Here, one must first ride the 8 km (5 mi) long gondola lift which covers a huge vertical. The 7th station has three slopes. The resort's longest slope is the south side U shaped slope which goes from the 7th station to 5th station. The other two slopes are located on the north side of the 7th station. Here, there are two parallel chair ski lifts that go up to 3900 m near Tochal's peak (at 4,000 m), rising higher than the gondola 7th station station. This altitude is said to be higher than any of the European resorts.
From the Tochal peak, one has a spectacular view of the Alborz
range, including the 5,671 metre (18,606 ft) high Mount Damavand
, a dormant volcano.
At the bottom of the lifts in a valley behind the Tochal peak is Tochal hotel, located at 3500 m altitude. From there a T lift takes skiers up the 3,800 metres of Shahneshin peak, where the third slope of Tochal is.
Due to the wealth of mountains, climbing sports are widely popular in Iran. Both the Zagros and Alborz ranges provide plenty of opportunities for the novice and advanced alike.
Hiking and Trekking enthusiasts find opportunities in locations like Alamut
and Tangeh Savashi
to enjoy the rustic surroundings as well as a relatively challenging climb.
, Shotokan
, Wushu
, and Taekwondo
are the most popular. One can find dojo
s from almost every martial arts style in Iran, with large numbers of followers. The Kung Fu To'a
originated in Iran, though banned after the Iranian Revolution.
, Iran has a national team
, and a professional league, with competitive players in Asia. The clubs have begun hiring foreign players and coaches into their roster. The national team participated in the 1948 Summer Olympics
in London, finishing 1-3. They competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics
in Beijing, thanks to their gold medal in the 2007 FIBA Asia Championship, their first ever continental crown. The first ever Iranian NBA-player is Hamed Haddadi and he plays for the Memphis Grizzlies
.
, Iran has a national team, and a professional league. The Iran national volleyball team is among the strongest teams in Asia, and the Iranian Youth and Junior (Under-19 and Under-21) national teams are among the top 3 strongest teams in the world, winning medals in Boys' U19 Volleyball World Championship
and Men's U21 Volleyball World Championship
in recent years. In the 2007 Men's U21 Volleyball World Championship
, the Iranians were successful at earning a Bronze medal. Also, in late August 2007, the Iran national under-19 volleyball team surprised many by winning the gold medal in the Volleyball World Championship in Mexico
after beating France and China in the semi-finals and finals respectively and marking the first such international gold medal for an Iranian team sport.
that presently is fourth strongest national team after Brazil
, Spain
and Italy
according to fifa Ranking.
This team has won the Asian Futsal Championship
for nine times out of the ten times held and reach five times to FIFA Futsal World Cup, national team. Iran also has a nationwide Super Futsal League.
is Iranian, as well as his tennis partner Ramin Raziyani
.
. Female drivers have been allowed to participate in national rally tournaments, including Iran's successful female driver Laleh Seddigh
.
, though never explicitly declared in the law, women
were barred from attending football
matches. In April 2006, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speculated about allowing women back into the stadiums. It is uncertain if this measure would gain approval, since many hard-line clerics have voiced their opposition. However, women are generally free to attend indoor sports events.
Videos
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
, both traditional and modern. Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
, for example, was the first city in the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
to host the Asian Games
Asian Games
The Asian Games, officially known as Asiad, is a multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia. The Games were regulated by the Asian Games Federation from the first Games in New Delhi, India, until the 1978 Games. Since the 1982 Games they have been organised by the...
in 1974, and continues to host and participate in major international sporting events to this day. Freestyle wrestling
Freestyle wrestling
Freestyle wrestling is a style of amateur wrestling that is practised throughout the world. Along with Greco-Roman, it is one of the two styles of wrestling contested in the Olympic games. It is, along with track and field, one of the oldest organized sports in history...
has been traditionally regarded as Iran's national sport
National sport
A national sport or national pastime is a sport or game that is considered to be an intrinsic part of the culture of a nation. Some sports are de facto national sports, as baseball is in the U.S., while others are de jure as lacrosse and ice hockey are in Canada.-De jure national sports:-De facto...
, however today, the most popular sport in Iran is football (soccer)
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
. The annual government's budget for sport was about $80 million in 2010 or about $1 dollar per person.
History
Sports and athletic exercises were among the most fundamental daily pursuits of the people in ancient Iran.The society attached special status to sportsmen who thanks to their physical strength and courage, defended their family and homeland when the need arose.
They were welcomed everywhere with much enthusiasm, the people took much pride in their sportsmen and praised and admired them for their courageous deeds.
According to their religious teaching, the Iranian Zoroastrians in their prayers sought first the beauties of heaven
Heaven
Heaven, the Heavens or Seven Heavens, is a common religious cosmological or metaphysical term for the physical or transcendent place from which heavenly beings originate, are enthroned or inhabit...
and then physical strength and mental power. They believed in a healthy and powerful body.
The ancient Iranians attached spiritual
Spirituality
Spirituality can refer to an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality; an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being; or the “deepest values and meanings by which people live.” Spiritual practices, including meditation, prayer and contemplation, are intended to develop...
meaning to their spoils activities which they modeled on their weapons. Even the Mages (religious sages) while engaging in prayers in their temples held a mace in their hands, not unlike the British bishops who hung swords on their belts.
Avesta
Avesta
The Avesta is the primary collection of sacred texts of Zoroastrianism, composed in the Avestan language.-Early transmission:The texts of the Avesta — which are all in the Avestan language — were composed over the course of several hundred years. The most important portion, the Gathas,...
, the sacred book of the ancient religions of Iran glorifies the champions and sportsmen as much, if not more than saints and men of God. The older generation made arrangements for the ancient narratives and epics to be read to the young either from books or from those who had learned them from their elders.
This tradition has survived until today and outlived the rest of ages. Thus, even today, it can be observed that among the tribes and in the tea- houses storytelling is practiced with the same enthusiasm as it was in bygone ages.
The extent to which the Iranians were interested in their hero
Hero
A hero , in Greek mythology and folklore, was originally a demigod, their cult being one of the most distinctive features of ancient Greek religion...
es and champions is revealed, among other things, by the fact that in the Persian language
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
there are over 30 words to label the concept of a hero or champion.
In ancient Iran, youths under 24 years of age received thorough training in the sport of their time which included miming
Miming
In Norse mythology, Miming was a forest-dwelling troll, the son of Hothbrod and foster son of Gevar. In a Teutonic version of the myth of the death of Balder, Miming's sword is the weapon that Hodur uses to slay Balder; here, Hodur is not blind but is instead a physically potent figure. Miming's...
, horsemanship, polo
Polo
Polo is a team sport played on horseback in which the objective is to score goals against an opposing team. Sometimes called, "The Sport of Kings", it was highly popularized by the British. Players score by driving a small white plastic or wooden ball into the opposing team's goal using a...
, dart throwing, wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
, boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
, archery
Archery
Archery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...
, fencing
Fencing
Fencing, which is also known as modern fencing to distinguish it from historical fencing, is a family of combat sports using bladed weapons.Fencing is one of four sports which have been featured at every one of the modern Olympic Games...
, etc. They were taught under conditions of severe hardship so that when the need arose they could endure the adverse conditions of war such as hunger
Hunger
Hunger is the most commonly used term to describe the social condition of people who frequently experience the physical sensation of desiring food.-Malnutrition, famine, starvation:...
, thirst
Thirst
Thirst is the craving for fluids, resulting in the basic instinct of animals to drink. It is an essential mechanism involved in fluid balance. It arises from a lack of fluids and/or an increase in the concentration of certain osmolites, such as salt...
, fatigue, heat
Heat
In physics and thermodynamics, heat is energy transferred from one body, region, or thermodynamic system to another due to thermal contact or thermal radiation when the systems are at different temperatures. It is often described as one of the fundamental processes of energy transfer between...
, cold
Cold
Cold describes the condition of low temperature.Cold may also refer to:*Common cold, a contagious viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory system*Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease...
, etc.
Sportswomen
Since 1979, women athletes have been subject to strict requirements when competing in Iran or abroad, with the Iranian Olympic Committee stating that "severe punishment will be meted out to those who do not follow Islamic rules during sporting competitions". The committee banned women athletes from competing in Olympic events where a male referee could come into physical contact with them. At the 1996Iran at the 1996 Summer Olympics
Athletes from the Islamic Republic of Iran competed at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta in the United States.-Competitors:-Medal table:-Medalists:- Swimming :Men- Athletics :Men- Boxing :Men- Judo :Men- Shooting :...
, 2000
Iran at the 2000 Summer Olympics
Athletes from Iran competed at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.-Competitors:-Medal table:-Medalists:- Swimming :Men- Athletics :Men- Boxing :Men- Sprint :Men- Road :Men- Equestrian :Jumping...
, 2004
Iran at the 2004 Summer Olympics
Athletes from the Islamic Republic of Iran competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.-Competitors:-Medal table:-Medalists:- Swimming :Men- Athletics :Men- Boxing :Men- Road :Men- Track :Men- Judo :...
and 2008 Summer Olympics
Iran at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Iran sent a team to compete at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. In total 55 Iranian athletes went to Beijing, including three women...
combined, a total of six women represented Iran.
Iran sport organization
- 1935: National Sports Association
- 1960: Integration into the Education Ministry
- 1971: Sports and Recreation Organization
- 1977: Dissolution and fusion with the Education Ministry (for the 2nd time)
- 1979–present: Independent Physical Education Organization (part of the Government)
- 2011: Proposal in Parliament to merge the National Youth Organization with the Physical Education Organization.
Sports categories
The annual government's budget for sport was about $80 million in 2010 or about $1 dollar per person.- Championship sports; see also National Olympic Committee of the Islamic Republic of Iran,
- Sports education; see also education in IranEducation in IranEducation in Iran is highly centralized and is divided to K-12 education and higher education. K-12 education is supervised by the Ministry of Education and higher education is under supervision of Ministry of Science and Technology....
, - Public sport.
Bodybuilding
Bodybuilding is very popular with the younger generation. Some professional bodybuilders of Iranian descent include Javad Nabavi, Mohamad Farokh, Ali Tabrizi and Hamid Manafi ("Arnold" of Fallah)!Wrestling
WrestlingWrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
has a very long tradition and history in Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
and often even referred to as its national sport
National sport
A national sport or national pastime is a sport or game that is considered to be an intrinsic part of the culture of a nation. Some sports are de facto national sports, as baseball is in the U.S., while others are de jure as lacrosse and ice hockey are in Canada.-De jure national sports:-De facto...
. There are many styles of folk wrestling, from Varzesh-e Pahlavani
Varzesh-e Pahlavani
Varzesh-e Bastani is a traditional style of folk wrestling practiced in Iran....
to Zurkhaneh
Zurkhaneh
Zurkhaneh, Zorkhana or Zourkhaneh is a traditional gymnasium of urban Persia and adjacent lands, including Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Afghanistan etc....
which have similarities with modern freestyle wrestling
Freestyle wrestling
Freestyle wrestling is a style of amateur wrestling that is practised throughout the world. Along with Greco-Roman, it is one of the two styles of wrestling contested in the Olympic games. It is, along with track and field, one of the oldest organized sports in history...
.
Both freestyle
Freestyle wrestling
Freestyle wrestling is a style of amateur wrestling that is practised throughout the world. Along with Greco-Roman, it is one of the two styles of wrestling contested in the Olympic games. It is, along with track and field, one of the oldest organized sports in history...
and Greco-Roman wrestling
Greco-Roman wrestling
Greco-Roman wrestling is a style of wrestling that is practised worldwide. It was contested at the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 and has been included in every edition of the summer Olympics held since 1908. Two wrestlers are scored for their performance in three two-minute periods, which can...
, particularly freestyle, are popular in Iran. mazandaran
Mazandaran Province
Mazandaran Province is a Caspian province in the north of Iran. Located on the southern coast of the Caspian Sea, it is bordered clockwise by the Golestan, Semnan, Tehran, Alborz, Qazvin, and Gilan provinces....
is the main power in the country and wrestling is part of its culture. Tehran
Tehran Province
Tehran Province is one of the 31 provinces of Iran. It covers on area of 18,909 square kilometers and is located to the north of the central plateau of Iran....
, Kermanshah
Kermanshah Province
Kermanshah Province is one of the 31 provinces of Iran. The province was known from 1969 to 1986 as Kermanshahan and from 1986 to 1995 as Bakhtaran.-Counties:...
, Khorasan and Hamedan also produce many talented wrestlers.
With a history of great wrestlers, such as Gholamreza Takhti
Gholamreza Takhti
Gholamreza Takhti is the most famous wrestler in Iranian history. He was most famous for his chivalrous behavior and sportsmanship, and he continues to symbolize the essence of sport to the Iranian people.- Early life :...
(four-time champion at freestyle wrestling World Championships
FILA Wrestling World Championships
FILA Wrestling World Championships is the Amateur Wrestling World Championship organized by the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles . The men's Greco-Roman tournament began in 1904...
: 1959, 1963, 1998 and 2002), Iran is considered among the elite nations in this sport.
Polo
Shahnameh
The Shahnameh or Shah-nama is a long epic poem written by the Persian poet Ferdowsi between c.977 and 1010 AD and is the national epic of Iran and related societies...
. Polo competitions are the subject of many traditional painting
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
s in Iran.
Despite the emphasis in Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
on learning the equestrian
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
arts, in modern times, especially after the 1979 Iranian revolution, the equestrian sports fell out of favor in Iran, as they were associated with the aristocracy
Aristocracy
Aristocracy , is a form of government in which a few elite citizens rule. The term derives from the Greek aristokratia, meaning "rule of the best". In origin in Ancient Greece, it was conceived of as rule by the best qualified citizens, and contrasted with monarchy...
. However, recent signs suggest that it may be witnessing a comeback with renewed interest in the sport.
Horse racing
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
is a very popular sport between Turkmens
Turkmen people
The Turkmen are a Turkic people located primarily in the Central Asian states of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and northeastern Iran. They speak the Turkmen language, which is classified as a part of the Western Oghuz branch of the Turkic languages family together with Turkish, Azerbaijani, Qashqai,...
of Iran, and there are two great Gimnasium of horse racing at Gonbad-e Qabus
Gonbad-e Qabus
Gonbad-e Qābus or Gonbad-e Kāvus ; formerly Dashte Gorgan) is a city in and the capital of Gonbad-e-Qabus County, in the province of Golestān in the northeast of Iran...
and Bandar Torkaman
Bandar Torkaman
Bandar Torkaman is a city in and capital of Torkaman County, Golestan Province, Iran. At the 2006 census its population was 45,045, in 9,755 families.Bandar Torkaman is a port on the Caspian Sea. It is approximately from Tehran...
. Competitions are not international and not broadcasted but considerable prizes are given to winners. Lottery
Lottery
A lottery is a form of gambling which involves the drawing of lots for a prize.Lottery is outlawed by some governments, while others endorse it to the extent of organizing a national or state lottery. It is common to find some degree of regulation of lottery by governments...
only for horse racing (and archery
Archery
Archery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...
) is not prohibited in Islam.
Backgammon
Backgammon is a game that has had a following in Persia since ancient times. Like chessChess
Chess is a two-player board game played on a chessboard, a square-checkered board with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. It is one of the world's most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide at home, in clubs, online, by correspondence, and in tournaments.Each player...
and some card games, it fell out of official favor after the revolution. However, this did not diminish its popularity with the general population. In recent years, restrictions on the game have been softened, but tournaments have yet to be officially sanctioned. And that is why backgammon is considered a traditional sport. The oldest backgammon in the world along with 60 pieces has been unearthed in southeastern Iran.
Chess
The origin of chess is a disputed issue, but evidence exists to give credence to the theory that chess originated in Persia, and later found its way into the Indian subcontinent. For example, the earliest recorder history of chess is to be found in Persian writing, and the earliest chess pieces found also being from Persian. All of this evidence lends weight to the theory that chess in Persia (ShatranjShatranj
Shatranj is an old form of chess, which came to the Western world from India. Modern chess has gradually developed from this game.-Etymology and origins:...
) pre-dated chess in India (Chatrang). Chess later spread from Persia into other nations in the Islamic world.
Football
Football (soccer) is by far the most popular sport in Iran. Iran has been able to reach the FIFA World CupFIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
three times (1978, 1998 and 2006), has won AFC Asian Cup three times (1968 AFC Asian Cup
1968 AFC Asian Cup
The 1968 AFC Asian Cup finals were held in Iran between May 10 and May 19. It was organized on a round robin basis, with the home team Iran winning with a perfect record of four wins.- Qualification :...
, 1972 AFC Asian Cup
1972 AFC Asian Cup
-Semi-finals:----- Third place play-off :-Final:-External links:**...
and 1976 AFC Asian Cup
1976 AFC Asian Cup
-Group B:---------Knockout stage:-Semi-finals:-----Third place play-off:-Final:-Goalscorers:3 goals: Gholam Hossein Mazloumi Nasser Nouraei Fathi Kamel2 goals: Alireza Azizi Alireza Khorshidi Hassan Roshan...
) and four times has reached to gold medal
Gold medal
A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...
at Asian Games
Football at the Asian Games
Men's Association football is an Asian Games sport since the 1951 edition. Women's football competition began in 1990.Since the 2002 Asian Games, age limit for men teams is under-23 plus up to three over aged players for each squad, same as the age limit in football competitions at the Summer...
(1974, 1990, 1998 and 2002).
Particularly in the past 10 years, with the launch of Iran's Premier Football League, considerable progress has been made. some Iranian players now play in major European leagues, and some Iranian clubs have hired European players or coaches.
Iranian clubs (Esteghlal and Pas) three times win Asian Club Championship
AFC Champions League
The AFC Champions League is the premier Asian club football competition hosted annually by Asian Football Confederation . The tournament is contested among the top thirty-two clubs from the top 10 Asian leagues, two of which must qualify through the playoffs...
(1970, 1991, 1993), but last championship of an Iranian team at AFC Champions League dated back to 1992-3 season.
Like all other sports, adequate football facilities are limited in Iran. Iran's largest football stadium is the Azadi Stadium
Azadi Stadium
The Azadi Stadium formerly Aryamehr Stadium is Iran's national stadium and the largest in the country. The Azadi stadium officially has a capacity of 100,000 people and was built to host the 1974 Asian Games...
with a seating capacity
Seating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
of 100,000. Home Stadium of Esteghlal and Perspolis (Most Popular Iranian Clubs) and where that national matches are held.
Weightlifting
Strength sports like weightlifting, powerliftingPowerlifting
Powerlifting is a strength sport. It resembles the sport of Olympic weightlifting, as both disciplines involve lifting weights in three attempts. Powerlifting evolved from a sport known as 'odd lifts' which followed the same three attempt format but used a wide variety of events akin to Strongman...
and bodybuilding
Bodybuilding
Bodybuilding is a form of body modification involving intensive muscle hypertrophy. An individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. In competitive and professional bodybuilding, bodybuilders display their physiques to a panel of judges, who assign points based on their...
have always held favor among Iranians and with the recent success of world record-holding super-heavyweight lifter Hossein Reza Zadeh, or Sidney Olympics Gold Medalist, Hossein Tavakoli
Hossein Tavakoli
Hossein Tavakkoli is an Iranian weightlifter who won the gold medal in the Men's 105 kg weight class at the 2000 Summer Olympics.- References :*...
, the sport has been returned to a rather high status.
Skiing
Skiing began in Iran in 1938 through the efforts of two German railway engineers. Today, 13 ski resorts operate in Iran, the most famous being Tochal
Tochal
Mount Tochal is a mountain in the Alborz range and a ski resort adjacent to metropolitan Tehran, Iran. The mountain has a 12 km long ridgeline...
, Dizin
Dizin
Dizin is a ski resort situated to the north of Tehran in the Alborz mountain range.The huge Dizin ski resort was established in 1969 . The ski season in Dizin also lasts longer than European ski resorts because of its high altitude.The highest ski lift reaches , making it one of the 40 highest ski...
, and Shemshak
Shemshak
Shemshak is a ski resort situated to the north-east of Tehran in the Alborz mountain range.Shemshak is the second largest ski area in Iran after Dizin and came into operation in 1958. It includes two ski lifts, three dish teleskis and two Hammer teleskis. The slopes lie at an altitude of 2550m to...
. All are within one to three hours traveling time of Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
. Potentially suitable terrain can also be found in Lorestan, Mazandaran, and other provinces.
The Tochal
Tochal
Mount Tochal is a mountain in the Alborz range and a ski resort adjacent to metropolitan Tehran, Iran. The mountain has a 12 km long ridgeline...
resort is the world's fifth-highest ski resort at over 3,730 m at its highest 7th station. The resort was completed in 1976 shortly before the overthrow of the Shah. It is only a mere 15 minutes away from Tehran's northern districts, and operates 7 months a year.
Here, one must first ride the 8 km (5 mi) long gondola lift which covers a huge vertical. The 7th station has three slopes. The resort's longest slope is the south side U shaped slope which goes from the 7th station to 5th station. The other two slopes are located on the north side of the 7th station. Here, there are two parallel chair ski lifts that go up to 3900 m near Tochal's peak (at 4,000 m), rising higher than the gondola 7th station station. This altitude is said to be higher than any of the European resorts.
From the Tochal peak, one has a spectacular view of the Alborz
Alborz
Alborz , also written as Alburz, Elburz or Elborz, is a mountain range in northern Iran stretching from the borders of Azerbaijan and Armenia in the northwest to the southern end of the Caspian Sea, and ending in the east at the borders of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan...
range, including the 5,671 metre (18,606 ft) high Mount Damavand
Mount Damavand
Mount Damāvand also known as Donbavand, a potentially active volcano and the highest peak in Iran, has a special place in Persian mythology and folklore...
, a dormant volcano.
At the bottom of the lifts in a valley behind the Tochal peak is Tochal hotel, located at 3500 m altitude. From there a T lift takes skiers up the 3,800 metres of Shahneshin peak, where the third slope of Tochal is.
Hiking, and climbing sports
Hiking and Trekking enthusiasts find opportunities in locations like Alamut
Alamut
Alamut was a mountain fortress located in the South Caspian province of Daylam near the Rudbar region in Iran, approximately 100 kilometres from present-day Tehran, Iran...
and Tangeh Savashi
Tangeh Savashi
Tangeh Savashi or Tangeh Vashi is a popular tourist attraction in the Tehran Province of Iran ....
to enjoy the rustic surroundings as well as a relatively challenging climb.
Martial arts
Martial arts have gained popularity in Iran in the past 20 years. KyokushinKyokushin
is a style of stand-up, full contact karate, founded in 1964 by Korean-Japanese karate master, who was born under the name Choi Young-Eui . Kyokushinkai is Japanese for "the society of the ultimate truth". Kyokushin is rooted in a philosophy of self-improvement, discipline and hard training...
, Shotokan
Shotokan
is a style of karate, developed from various martial arts by Gichin Funakoshi and his son Gigo Funakoshi . Gichin was born in Okinawa and is widely credited with popularizing karate through a series of public demonstrations, and by promoting the development of university karate clubs, including...
, Wushu
Wushu (sport)
The sport of wushu is both an exhibition and a full-contact sport derived from traditional Chinese martial arts. It was created in the People's Republic of China after 1949, in an attempt to nationalize the practice of traditional Chinese martial arts...
, and Taekwondo
Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon means "to strike or break with fist"; and do means "way", "method", or "path"...
are the most popular. One can find dojo
Dojo
A is a Japanese term which literally means "place of the way". Initially, dōjōs were adjunct to temples. The term can refer to a formal training place for any of the Japanese do arts but typically it is considered the formal gathering place for students of any Japanese martial arts style to...
s from almost every martial arts style in Iran, with large numbers of followers. The Kung Fu To'a
Kung Fu To'a
Kung Fu To'a is a Persian martial art, developed by Ibrahim Mirzaii in the 1960s. It is a unique style of Kung Fu with Yoga influences focused on a healthier mind and body. It is made up by combination of Northern and Southern styles of Shaolin Kung fu...
originated in Iran, though banned after the Iranian Revolution.
Basketball
In basketballBasketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, Iran has a national team
Iran national basketball team
The Iran national basketball team represents Iran in international basketball competitions and is controlled by IR Iran Basketball Federation. It is one of the strongest teams in Asia, and the two time champions of the FIBA Asia Championship.-History:...
, and a professional league, with competitive players in Asia. The clubs have begun hiring foreign players and coaches into their roster. The national team participated in the 1948 Summer Olympics
Basketball at the 1948 Summer Olympics
Basketball at the 1948 Summer Olympics was the second appearance of the sport as an official medal event. A total number of 23 nations entered the competition....
in London, finishing 1-3. They competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics
Basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Basketball contests at the 2008 Olympic Games were held from August 9, 2008 to August 24, 2008. Competitions were held at the Wukesong Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China...
in Beijing, thanks to their gold medal in the 2007 FIBA Asia Championship, their first ever continental crown. The first ever Iranian NBA-player is Hamed Haddadi and he plays for the Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The team is part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Along with the Toronto Raptors, the Grizzlies were established in 1995 as part of the NBA's...
.
Volleyball
In volleyballVolleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
, Iran has a national team, and a professional league. The Iran national volleyball team is among the strongest teams in Asia, and the Iranian Youth and Junior (Under-19 and Under-21) national teams are among the top 3 strongest teams in the world, winning medals in Boys' U19 Volleyball World Championship
Boys' U19 Volleyball World Championship
The FIVB Boys' Youth Volleyball World Championship is a men's under-19 only international volleyball tournament. The competition first took place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in 1989.-Results summary:-Medals table:-See also:...
and Men's U21 Volleyball World Championship
Men's U21 Volleyball World Championship
The FIVB Men's Junior Volleyball World Championship is a men's under-21 only international volleyball tournament. The competition first took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1977.-Results summary:-Medals table:-See also:...
in recent years. In the 2007 Men's U21 Volleyball World Championship
2007 Men's U21 Volleyball World Championship
The 2007 Men's U21 Volleyball World Championship was the last edition of the Men's U21 Volleyball World Championships held from 7 to 15 July 2007 in Rabat and Casablanca, Morocco.- Competing nations :-Final standings:-External links:*...
, the Iranians were successful at earning a Bronze medal. Also, in late August 2007, the Iran national under-19 volleyball team surprised many by winning the gold medal in the Volleyball World Championship in Mexico
2007 FIVB Boys' U19 Volleyball World Championship
The 2007 Fédération Internationale de Volleyball-sponsored Under 19 Boys' U19 Volleyball World Championship took place from August 15 to August 26 in the Mexican cities of Tijuana and Mexicali, Baja California.-Competing nations:...
after beating France and China in the semi-finals and finals respectively and marking the first such international gold medal for an Iranian team sport.
Futsal
Futsal are very Practitioners both at amateur and professional level, partly because of lacking suitable soccer fields. Iran has a strong national teamIran national futsal team
The Iran national futsal team represents Iran in international futsal competitions and is controlled by the Futsal Commission of the Islamic Republic of Iran Football Federation. The "Kings of Asian Futsal" have won almost all editions of Asian Futsal Championship and are the 6th strongest team in...
that presently is fourth strongest national team after Brazil
Brazil national futsal team
The Brazil national futsal team represents Brazil during international futsal competitions. It is under the direction of the Brazilian Futsal Confederation or Confederação Brasileira de Futebol de Salão. The team is considered to be the strongest in the world earning a record three straight...
, Spain
Spain national futsal team
The Spain national futsal team represents Spain in international futsal competitions and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation...
and Italy
Italy national futsal team
The Italy national futsal team represents Italy in international futsal competitions and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation. It is one of the strongest teams in Europe, champions in the 2003 UEFA Futsal Championship....
according to fifa Ranking.
This team has won the Asian Futsal Championship
AFC Futsal Championship
The AFC Futsal Championship is the main national futsal competition of the Asian Football Confederation nations. It was first held in 1999 and has been played annually...
for nine times out of the ten times held and reach five times to FIFA Futsal World Cup, national team. Iran also has a nationwide Super Futsal League.
Tennis
The tennis entertainer Mansour BahramiMansour Bahrami
Mansour Bahrami is a professional tennis player. He has held dual French and Iranian nationality since 1989.-Early life:...
is Iranian, as well as his tennis partner Ramin Raziyani
Ramin Raziyani
Ramin Raziyani is a professional tennis player, tennis coach and entrepreneur.-Biography:Ramin has been playing tennis for 32 years, and coaching for 20 years. He started playing tennis at the early age of 4, in his native country Iran. He is certified as a first class coach in Iran, and...
.
Others
Another popular sport in Iran is rallyingRallying
Rallying, also known as rally racing, is a form of auto racing that takes place on public or private roads with modified production or specially built road-legal cars...
. Female drivers have been allowed to participate in national rally tournaments, including Iran's successful female driver Laleh Seddigh
Laleh Seddigh
Laleh Seddigh is an Iranian female race car driver. She races both on circuits and in rallies. She lives in Tehran and has been called the "little Schumacher". She is recognized as the best female racer in the country...
.
Attendance at sporting events
Since the 1979 revolutionIranian Revolution
The Iranian Revolution refers to events involving the overthrow of Iran's monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and its replacement with an Islamic republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the...
, though never explicitly declared in the law, women
Women in Iran
Iranian women in this article refers to women of, or from, traditional Persian or modern Iranian culture.-Depictions and appearance:...
were barred from attending football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
matches. In April 2006, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speculated about allowing women back into the stadiums. It is uncertain if this measure would gain approval, since many hard-line clerics have voiced their opposition. However, women are generally free to attend indoor sports events.
See also
- BuzkashiBuzkashiBuzkashi or Kok-boru or Oglak Tartis or Ulak Tartysh is a traditional Central Asian...
- National Iranian Olympic Academy
- Cycling Federation of the Islamic Republic of IranCycling Federation of the Islamic Republic of IranThe Cycling Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran is the national governing body of cycle racing in Iran. It is a member of the UCI and the Asian Cycling Confederation....
- Iran national basketball teamIran national basketball teamThe Iran national basketball team represents Iran in international basketball competitions and is controlled by IR Iran Basketball Federation. It is one of the strongest teams in Asia, and the two time champions of the FIBA Asia Championship.-History:...
- Tourism in IranTourism in IranTourism attracted 2.3 million people to Iran in 2009. Iran plans to have 20 million tourists annually by 2015 ....
Sources
External links
- Islamic Republic of Iran Physical Education Organization
- فوتبال دیلی
- فوتسال نیوز
- سایت مربیان
- دنیای فوتبال
Videos
- Iran's Inqelab Sports Complex (Press TVPress TVPress TV is a 24-hour English language global news network owned by the Iranian government. Its headquarters are located in Tehran, Iran, with bureaux in Beirut , Damascus , London , Seoul and Washington DC ....
video) - Skiing in Iran (Press TVPress TVPress TV is a 24-hour English language global news network owned by the Iranian government. Its headquarters are located in Tehran, Iran, with bureaux in Beirut , Damascus , London , Seoul and Washington DC ....
video) - Iran in the 16th Asian Games (PressTV - 2010 video)
- Ministry of Sports & Youth in Iran (PressTV - 2011 video)