At a farewell ceremony for Iranian university students’ sports delegation heading to Brazil for the World Combat Sports Games, senior higher-education official Dr. Habiba described sport as a powerful instrument for diplomacy, social cohesion, and projecting national identity.
Iran
NOC; Tehran: The official farewell event for the Iranian university athletes’
delegation, titled “Minab 168,” was held with the presence of the Deputy
Minister of Science and Head of the Student Affairs Organization. Addressing
the team, Habiba congratulated the athletes on the religious Eid holidays and
called the delegation’s participation in a major global event an important
milestone for Iran’s university sport, voicing hope for strong results and
national pride. Paying tribute to fallen heroes, particularly student and youth
martyrs, he said sport today goes far beyond physical activity and health,
functioning as a social and cultural force that can strengthen national unity,
expand social solidarity, and introduce a nation’s capabilities on the
international stage. He stressed that Iranian athletes at international
competitions represent more than a roster or a uniform; they stand as ambassadors
of Iran’s culture, identity, and human capital. He added that success in such
events can lift national morale and reinforce hope and positive energy across
society.
Referring
to the country’s challenging circumstances, Dr. Habiba noted that the decision
to send the team was made despite existing constraints, arguing that the
delegation’s presence can convey messages of resilience, cohesion, and
capability to global public opinion. He also urged members of the delegation to
pair medal ambitions with exemplary conduct and professional ethics, presenting
Iran’s rich Iranian-Islamic culture through behavior and sportsmanship as much
as through performance.
Highlighting
the role of women athletes, he said successful participation by Iranian female
students can showcase the capacities of Iranian women in scientific, cultural,
and sporting arenas and offer a more accurate image of women’s status in Iran. Dr.
Habiba further pointed to the delegation’s name, Minab 168, as carrying
cultural symbolism, and said the slogan “Knowledge for building, not fighting”
reflects the Iranian academic community’s emphasis on peace, progress, science,
and development. He concluded by wishing the delegation health and success,
expressing hope that the team would bring back positive news and honors from
Brazil.