the necessity to transform physical education into a national strategic axis, calling for the establishment of a specialized science and technology park in the field of sports

 stated on Sunday, November 16, while visiting the SSRI, the necessity to transform physical education into a national strategic axis, calling for the establishment of a specialized science and technology park in the field of sports, strengthening inter-sectoral support, and founding a dedicated research institute for disabled and veterans.

He appreciated recent developments of the institute and efforts of Dr. Mohammadi, Head of the institute, describing the ongoing transformation in sports sciences as valuable.

Khosropanah emphasized that physical education is not merely an academic discipline but encompasses diverse sciences such as psychology, sociology, sports management and economics, basic sciences like physics and chemistry, and engineering and technology. This interdisciplinary nature heightens the need for coherent planning, policymaking, and research.

Highlighting challenges in importing sports equipment and customs issues, he stressed the necessity of developing domestic sports technologies and stated that sports equipment should be designed and produced domestically, not requiring federation heads to be involved in customs clearance. He advocated for creating an independent science and technology park for physical education and sports, encompassing knowledge-based companies, startups, laboratories, and production lines.

He praised the SSRI’s achievement of four innovative products reaching TRL9 (commercial readiness) but urged expanding this number significantly. He called for a sports science and technology park similar to those in universities like Tehran, Shahid Beheshti, Amirkabir, and Khorasan Razavi but exclusively dedicated to sports. This park would bring together scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs to collaborate on sports equipment, smart clothing, performance monitoring sensors, athlete rehabilitation solutions, and rehabilitation robots.

Khosropanah described sport as social treatment and a tool for disease prevention, noting that many chronic diseases such as cardiovascular issues, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and mental disorders stem from inactivity. He emphasized promoting a culture of family and community sports to reduce healthcare costs and foster social vitality.

He noted that general public sport is a higher priority than elite sport, though strengthening elite and traditional sports remains important. He underscored the role of ethics and culture in sports, highlighting sportsmanship by Iranian athletes on international stages as a deep and powerful message.

He advocated maximizing the use of cultural deputy capacities in sports and emphasized full support by the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution for strong, cohesive cultural policies in sports.

Khosropanah called for institutional support for the Research Institute, noting it is under the Ministry of Science but needs cooperation from the Ministry of Sports, Parliament, and Cultural Council for full mission achievement.

He highlighted women’s capable role in science and sports as evident in management positions and international achievements, disputing doubts about women’s presence in these fields.

Finally, he stressed the need for physical development of the SSRI, requesting allocation of several hectares near Tehran for a center of innovation, advanced laboratories, and a sports science and technology park. He affirmed the Research Institute must become a global hub for sports sciences not only theoretically but physically and infrastructurally.