Dr. Mohammadi emphasizes the necessity of "creative destruction" for the development of a technology-driven sports economy

At the closing ceremony of the "From Idea to Business in Sport" event, Dr. Mohammadi, presenting statistics on the country's sports economy, emphasized the need for the formation of a national innovation ecosystem and the reduction of dependence on imports in this industry.

Dr. Mohammadi emphasizes the necessity of "creative destruction" for the development of a technology-driven sports economy

According to the Public Relations Department of the Institute of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, at the beginning of the closing ceremony of the "From Idea to Business in Sport" event, Dr. Mohammadi, thanking the Deputy for Technology of the Ministry of Sports and Youth, the private sector, and all those involved in organizing this program, stated: "This event is the product of a collective will, and this very collective will is a hopeful point for transformation in the country's sports."

Referring to statistics in the field of sports economics, she added: "According to statistics from the Parliamentary Research Center, the turnover of Iran's sports economy in the Iranian year 1402 (March 2023–March 2024) amounted to 123 trillion tomans. Of this, about 48 trillion tomans is the share of domestic production, and the share of knowledge‑based companies from this amount is estimated at less than 10%."

Dr. Mohammadi continued: "More than 60% of the country's sports market is dependent on imports, and this is not just an economic issue; it is a strategic threat to national and regional competitiveness."

Referring to global statistics, she emphasized: "The sports industry in 2025 had a value of approximately 510 billion dollars, and the sports technology market experienced about 30 billion dollars with an annual growth rate of 21%, indicating the vast opportunities in this field."

The President of the Institute of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, stating that the country possesses technical knowledge, specialized human resources, and creative ideas, said: "The main challenge is the lack of coordination among the real needs of sports, the available technical knowledge, and the economic structure of the sports industry."

She noted: "Over the past months, with the cooperation of the National Olympic Committee, the technological needs of sports federations have been identified and categorized into four areas: data‑driven performance monitoring technologies, injury prevention and rehabilitation, localized specialized equipment and infrastructure, and management technologies and sports economics."

Dr. Mohammadi stated: "An examination of the market situation shows that in the field of performance monitoring, we are largely dependent on foreign brands; in specialized equipment, the share of domestic production is limited and mostly non‑smart; in management technologies, the market is fragmented and lacks a unified national standard; and the share of knowledge‑based companies is still less than 10%."

Referring to the concept of "creative destruction," she said: "Creative destruction does not mean negating the past; rather, it means revising low‑efficiency processes and outdated models and giving way to new technologies and young startups. Without this regeneration, transformation in the sports industry will not be achieved."

The President of the Institute of Physical Education and Sport Sciences added: "This Institute, by establishing the first specialized sports innovation center in 2022, holding educational and technological boot camps, and organizing events such as the Technology Sports Olympiad, has provided the groundwork for receiving more than 1,200 student ideas and products."

She continued: "In the present event, more than 130 ideas and products were received from science and technology parks, knowledge‑based companies, and startups, and after screening, they were presented in specialized panels."

Dr. Mohammadi emphasized: "The 'From Idea to Business in Sport' event is not merely a calendar event; it is a national exercise for moving from traditional activities to a technology‑driven industry. Achieving this goal requires a national division of labor, linking universities, federations, and the private sector, and facilitative support from the government."

In conclusion, requesting the allocation of space in the Azadi Sports Complex for the establishment of a specialized sports science and technology park and the continuation of necessary support to facilitate the issuance of relevant permits, she expressed hope that the presented ideas would turn into a national and sustainable structure in the country's sports economy.