Iran’s National Olympic Committee Secretary General Mehdi Alinajad visited the national squash training camp ahead of the 2025 World Cup in India, saying the sport’s inclusion in the Olympic programme will “make your job harder but will strengthen our support.”
Iran NOC; Tehran: During the
visit, he praised the sport’s rapid growth in Iran and highlighted improved
training infrastructure and the use of foreign coaching. Alinajad stressed that
the Asian Games are “not a place for gaining experience but for delivering
results,” adding that squad selection will be based strictly on performance in
upcoming events, including the World Cup and the Asian Championships in
Pakistan. He noted that the NOC has recently sent its “most quality-oriented
delegations” and said decisions for Aichi–Nagoya 2026 will be merit-based, with
no special treatment for any discipline. Alinajad said squash’s Olympic status
increases the committee’s attention and expressed hope the sport will become
one of Iran’s successful racquet disciplines.
He described the near-equal
presence of men’s and women’s teams and the addition of a foreign coach as
positive indicators for long-term development. Alinajad also voiced optimism
that Iranian athletes could become the country’s first Olympic squash players
at Los Angeles 2028. Squash federation President Amir Azizipour thanked the NOC
for its backing, noting the women’s team will compete for the first time and
the men’s squad returns to the World Cup after 17 years. Coaches and athletes
also presented their concerns and needs during the visit.