President of the SSRI: Paralympics—A Manifestation of Sacrifice and Ability / The Role of Universities and Media in Promoting the Culture of Disability Sports

Dr. Fariba Mohammadi, President, stated that universities and media can play a significant role in promoting awareness and fostering the culture of sports for persons with disabilities.

According to the Public Relations Office , Dr. Mohammadi, speaking on the sidelines of the specialized seminar “From Sacrifice to Glory: The Path of Formation and Flourishing of the Paralympic Movement in the Islamic Republic of Iran”, expressed appreciation for the presence of university faculty members and media representatives. She said: “Your presence demonstrates how important the Paralympic movement and sports for persons with disabilities are to society, researchers, and the media. Through your coverage of these events, you play a vital role in raising awareness and promoting the culture of both recreational and elite sports.”

She referred to the formation of the National Paralympic Week Supreme Committee within the National Paralympic Committee, noting: “According to the resolution of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, executive organizations are obligated to contribute to the development of disability sports. Representing the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, the Institute of Physical Education and Sport Sciences has been tasked with expanding its scientific, cultural, and research activities in this area.”

Dr. Mohammadi emphasized: “Our main goal is to familiarize the academic community and researchers with the values of the Paralympic movement and to examine its development process globally and particularly in Iran. The participation of honored war veterans in disability sports infused new life into this movement and accelerated its growth within the country.”

Highlighting the importance of introducing successful Paralympic role models, she stated: “Showcasing the achievements of champions in this field inspires many people with disabilities. A prime example is Ms. Zahra Nemati — Iran’s first female Paralympic gold medalist and current head coach of the national para archery team — who, in collaboration with the Institute, has introduced her athletes for performance evaluation and assessment at the center.”

She further underlined the significance of talent identification in disability sports, explaining: “The first stage of the Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) process is raising awareness among individuals and their families. The subsequent stages include recruitment, training, and athlete development up to the elite level. In this process, universities can play a more influential role through scientific research and educational programs that enhance both awareness and athletic performance.”

Dr. Mohammadi concluded: “This seminar was part of the Institute’s programs marking National Paralympic Week, held to highlight the scientific, cultural, and historical standing of the Paralympic movement and to showcase the pathways of growth and success achieved by Iran’s athletes with disabilities.”