Dr. Mahdi Alinejad, Secretary-General of the National Olympic Committee urged the Iranian delegation heading to the Nagoya Asian Games to compete with maximum resolve, emphasizing that they represent the entire nation rather than just their individual sports.
Iran
NOC; Tehran: Speaking at the farewell ceremony for the “Minab Angels”
delegation, Alinejad highlighted the weight of responsibility carried by the athletes.
He noted that the 527-member delegation, comprising 97 female and 215 male
athletes across 50 disciplines, represents the resilience of Iranian sports
despite recent challenges, including flight restrictions and resource
difficulties. He specifically praised the significant presence of female
athletes as a testament to the progress and willpower of women’s sports in
Iran. Addressing
the athletes directly, Secretary-General stated: “You are not just
representatives of a discipline, a team, or a federation; you are the
representatives of Iran. Enter the arena with calmness, compete with courage,
and respect your opponents. Be humble in victory and dignified in defeat. Do
not give in until the very last second.” The
Secretary General concluded by expressing his hope that the Iranian national
anthem would echo through the arenas of Nagoya and that the nation’s flag would
be raised high across Asia. He also noted the symbolic significance of the
delegation’s name, “Minab Angels, Shajare Tayyebe,” which honors the martyrs of
the Minab region.