Iran's Sports Equipment Economy: Key Findings from Parliamentary Research Center Study

A specialized study by the Iranian Parliament's Research Center has analyzed the economic dynamics of sports equipment and goods in Iran, identifying critical challenges and opportunities for industry development.

Global Context & Domestic Gaps

Global Growth: Sports industry shows highest growth rates worldwide

Market Share: Equipment/goods constitute 80% of global sports economy

Iran's Capacity: Domestic production meets only 35% of local market demand

Trade Imbalance: 2024 imports valued at five times export worth

Production Patterns
Current manufacturing focuses on:
✓ Fitness equipment & machinery
✓ Various ball types
✓ Tatami mats & sports flooring
✓ Artificial turf
✓ Sportswear
Note: Mostly lower-technology items requiring minimal advanced equipment

Key Challenges Identified

Inefficient value chain – fragmented and uncoordinated

Low technological integration in production processes

Higher production costs compared to imports

Absence of comprehensive sports raw materials database

Lack of investor guidance policies

Strategic Recommendations
The study by Dr. Mohammad Hossein Ghorbani (faculty member, Physical Education Research Institute) proposes:

Leveraging existing competitive advantages

Adopting advanced technologies

Targeted export support programs

Diversifying target markets

Economic Transformation Vision
Shifting Iran's sports economy from:
 Consumption-based model
 Production-export oriented model

The findings emphasize that strategic planning in this sector could significantly contribute to national economic development while addressing current import dependency.