{گزارش فارسي}
Coinciding with the birth of Imam Ali (Peace be Upon him), the 2nd Zurkhaneh Sports training course special for Africa with the participation of athletes from 5 countries was held in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe.  The 10 days› training course was organized in Harare with the attendance of 40 athletes from countries of Tanzania, Congo, Kenya, Malawi and Zimbabwe from June 16 to 23, 2011. Majid Panahiha, Moreshed & coach; Hamid Fathalipour, an international coach; and Matthwew Mwangi, an assistant coach from Kenyan were responsible for training the athletes.  The 2nd Zurkhaneh Sports Training Course was held in Africa with a suggestion from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and the Youth, managed by Samrat Signt  – IZSF Director of development affairs, and with the collaboration of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s embassy.

Iranian Ambassador: Sport more enduring and popular than politics


Prior to the beginning of this section, Iranian ambassador, Mohammad Pour Najaf, met with IZSF Secretary General in Harare.
In the meeting, he welcomed sports activities between two nations and said: “Popularity and stability are the major differences between sports and cultural activities with political and economic affairs. These activities are important public representations”.
Referring to 97% educated people in Zimbabwe, Iranian ambassador asserted that “a proper expression of a concept leads to empower and attract people. Zurkhaneh with its certain spiritual and sport concepts can grasp the youth’s interest. 

Iranian Counselor in Harare: Spirits of African people is close to the culture of Zurkhaneh Sports
Mohammad Asadi, Iranian Cultural Counselor, said in Harare: “Two reasons contribute to the success of Zurkhaneh sports in Africa. First, spiritual states of people, and their physical features”.
Considering the music of Zurkhaneh, he noted: “Music has a particular position in African life. Music and songs of master can give them more pleasure. However, it is necessary for master to sing in English language, so athletes will become more familiar with the concepts of the zurkhaneh sports by adjusting their movements, in addition to taking advantages of beats”.

Opening the ceremony with attractive performances of some African Athletes
The 2nd Zurkhaneh Sports Training Course in Africa was officially opened in by performing zurkhaneh sports by some graduated athletes from Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of Congo; the Tomorrow Art Show by Matthwew Mwangi from Kenya and beats of Majid Panahiha.  
On Tuesday afternoon, June 19, the second zurkhaneh sports training course in Africa was officially opened  with the presence of Deputy Ambassador, Shajari; Iranian cultural counselor, Mohammad Assadi; IZSF Secretary General, Seyed Amir Hosseini, some Zimbabwe’s sports officials and certain Iranians residents.
“From early 2011, IZSF began its programs in Africa which have interested people, athletes and sport officials”, Seyed Amir Hossini said briefly about IZSF plans in Africa.
IZSF Secretary General referred to the presence of the Zurkhaneh sports in the 1st African Games held in September 2011 in Mozambique as one of the serious and pursuing plans of the Federation.
At the opening, Hamid Fathali Pour, Iranian and Asian Zurkhaneh sports hero performed some zurkhaneh sports.

Supporting the Zurkhaneh Sports in the 10th African Games
Director General of  Ministry of  sport  and Recreation Commission asserted that he will try and council to develop Zurkhaneh sports in the 10th African Games.  
IZSF Secretary General, Seyed Amir Hosseini, and IZSF Director of development affairs Samrat Singh met with Director General of  Ministry of  sport  and Recreation Commission of  Zimbabwe.
In the meeting with Charles Nhamachena on June 22, 2011, Dr. Seyed Amir Hosseini explained the zurkhaneh sport and its values and referred to the formation of the zurkhaneh Sports International Federation. “Fortunately, thanks to the decision of the Federation Board, the development plan for zurkhaneh sports in Africa is being performed since the early  2011,and so far two training programs have been completed in Uganda and Zimbabwe with the presence of athletes from 10 African countries”, he added.
IZSF Secretary General asserted that “the presence of zurkhaneh sports in Asia, Africa and Europe is one of the IZSF goals, and with the collaboration of Zimbabwe we hope zurkhaneh sport will be present during the 10th  All African Games in Sep. 2011”.
Referring to the structures and workings of sports in Zimbabwe, Charles Nhamachena, Director General of  Ministry of  sport  and Recreation Commission of Zimbabwe told: “I am glad to see Asian sports developing in Africa. We are greeting those sports pursing human values”.
“ I will try and Council to develop Zurkhaneh sports in The 1st African Championship”, he added.
Samrat Signt, IZSF Director of Development Affairs, said: “Currently, zurkhaneh sports is underway in 10 African countries and IZSF goal is to establish zurkhaneh in 21 countries to the end of 2011”. “IZSF is ready to organize the 3rd Zurkhaneh Sports Training Course-Africa in Kenya”, he added.

Performing the Zurkhaneh Sports in Zimbabwe  during Olympic week
IZSF Director of development affairs visited the Executive board members of the Olympic Committee of Zimbabwe.
In his meeting with Brayen Varn, Vice President of the Olympic Committee of Zimbabwe, and Santlu Motaya, executive of the Olympic Committee of the Zimbabwe; Samrat Signt, IZSF Director of development affairs, reported the progress of establishment and activities of IZSF in 5 continents. “The presence of Zurkhaneh sports in the 1st African Championships is among the IZSF important goals”, he said.
Santly Motaya, executive of the Olympic Committee of the Zimbabwe, referred to moral values of zurkhaneh sports and said: “Friendship and respect to opponents are the high values of Olympic movement”.
Brayen Varn, Vice President of the Olympic Committee of Zimbabwe, said: “it is a great opportunity to invest on youth of this country and Africa by IZSF”.
Considering the World Olympic Day, Vice President of the Olympic Committee of Zimbabwe suggested that zurkhaneh athletes perform some zurkhaneh sports in the opening ceremony of two days Olympic Game in Harare, leading to take advantage of its advertising opportunity.

Course Information
Murshed & coach: Majid Panahiha
Coach: Hamid Fathalipour
Assistant coach: Mattew Mwangi
Best athlete: Shown Chibikira
Moral athlete: Edgar Muchibwa  
High Pointe: 86
Number of participants: 37
Countries: Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and the Congo Republic
Start date: 16 June 2011
End Date: 22 June 2011
Organizer: Muzondiwa Gilbert Makowah
Director: Samrat Singh
Officially Supported by: Ministry of Sports and Recreation Commission of Zimbabwe, Iran Embassy of Harare

Photo Report
Zimbabwe training Course 2011: Opening ceremoney
The 2nd African Zurkhaneh Training Course, Zimbabwe, June 2011