Sport as a unifier of society and a strengthener of national identity in times of crisis

The Deputy for Cultural and Social Affairs of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, Dr. Vahid Shalchi, referring to the unequal war imposed on the country, emphasized the vital role of sport in enhancing social resilience, national cohesion, and maintaining the psychological health of society, and called for a mass movement to expand sport during this critical period.

Sport as a unifier of society and a strengthener of national identity in times of crisis

According to the Public Relations Department of the Institute of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Dr. Vahid Shalchi, Deputy for Cultural and Social Affairs of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, at the meeting on sports community activism regarding the management of the effects and consequences of war on sports facilities and programs, elaborated on his ministry's perspective on sport and its role in the country's current circumstances. He described sport as going beyond a scientific discipline, being a key element of academic identity and university lifestyle, and added: "The Ministry of Science's view is that sport is part of academic identity. Alongside reading and the decorum of teaching, it is an inseparable part of the academic human being."

Dr. Shalchi noted that leading universities around the world have also linked sport with academic identity, stating: "What we are pursuing in this period is to highlight sport as part of university life so that this matter becomes ingrained in the lives of our professors, students, and staff." He also emphasized the need to strengthen scientific fields related to sport, such as sports economics and sports media, and said: "Sports leagues and sporting events, in addition to their athletic functions, have important cultural and social functions in strengthening national identity, creating social vitality, and connecting different sectors of society."

The Deputy Minister of Science then referred to the unequal and asymmetric war conditions and stated: "In this war, in addition to the deterrent power — in which universities have played a fundamental role — the second aspect of our superiority is social resilience, and in this regard, sport is at the forefront." He emphasized that sport, by creating national solidarity and strengthening national identity, can be a key factor in resisting the psychological pressures of war and enhancing societal cohesion.

Dr. Shalchi, referring to the efforts of some enemy‑affiliated media to weaken national teams, described these actions as deliberate and malicious, and added: "Their intervention shows that they know how national sports teams can bring together the people of a country — despite all their differences — around a single identity based on shared national feelings and memories."

In conclusion, while calling for a "mass movement for sport" in the current critical period, he stated: "Iran's sports community is one of the most tolerant communities in the country and can play an effective role in increasing social resilience and maintaining psychological health." He called on academic sports colleagues to actively participate in this effort by producing educational and encouraging content in the field of sport — both elite and grassroots. He added: "We must, through the expansion of sport, repay our debt to the brave men who sacrifice their lives in defense of this land and water."