The Second Hakim Abolghasem Ferdowsi International Zurkhaneh Sports Competition was Held
After the successful organizing of the First International Zurkhaneh Sports Competition in April 2010, with the participation of 5 teams from 4 countries in the realm of Persian civilization in Tajikistan, the Second International Zurkhaneh Sports Competition entitled “Hakim Abolghasem Ferdowsi Competition” from June 19 to 22, 2010 was held in Dushanbe.
This huge event was initiated participated by Mr. Esfandiar Rahim Mashae, top presidential councilor and the head of the Islamic Republic presidential office, Mr. Mehralizadeh, IZSF president, Dr. Ali Asghar Sherdoost, Iranian ambassador to Tajikistan, Iranian representatives as well as the ambassadors of Azerbaijan and Afghanistan and other athletic and cultural officials from Islamic republic of Iran, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Lithuania, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Nepal on the birthday of Ferdowsi.
Zurkhaneh has come to the contemporary world from the Persian civilization
In the opening ceremony of the competition, Eng. Esfandiar Rahim Mashae, the head of the Islamic Republic presidential office, said: “Bastani and zurkhaneh sport is a legacy which has reached the contemporary world through the Persian cultural school, and this competition is held in a country that has a heroic culture.
He added: “These sports embody the spirit of championship, and the champion has spiritual power and is able to solve people’s problems and resists oppression and is the origin of philanthropy, justice and love.
The spirit of championship is widespread throughout the territory of the Persian civilization
Aliasghar Sherdoost, Iranian ambassador to Tajikistan, said: “Countries which have attended these games are all representatives of a common culture and civilization, and if one day with this civilization they have offered great services to humanity, even today incorporating the spirit of championship, they can reach the same majesty.”
100% increase in the number of participants
In the second zurkhaneh competition commemorating Hakim Ferdowsi, 96 coaches, athletes, referees, mentors and executive staff from eight countries took part which with regard to the number of participants, compared with the previous games shows a 100% growth.
Referring to the quantitative as well as qualitative growth of this round of competition, Dr. Seyyed Amir Hoseini, IZSF Secretary General, said: “Many countries, believe participation of Iran has enhanced the quality of the competition.”
He stated that presence of Iran can contribute to the qualitative improvement of the games and said: “In fact, the presence of Iranian athletes in the individual skills section was an excellent training course for foreign participants.”