at the Second Zurkhaneh Sports and Koshti Pahlavani World Championship Press Conference, Dr. Mohsen Mehralizadeh stated: “In 2004, International Zurkhaneh Sports Federation was officially inaugurated with 23 member nations and today 84 countries are members of this federation. Eight years ago, the First Zurkhaneh Sports World Championship was held in Busan participated by 18 countries. However, 40 countries will attend the event hosted by Indonesia. But in order to reduce the costs, we limited the number of participants from each continent to 3-4 countries, from which 18 countries will participate with a complete Zurkhaneh team, 22 countries will participate in Koshti Pahlavani events and 6 other countries will travel to Indonesia in order to attend the Sixth General Assembly meeting.”
Dr. Mehralizadeh added: “Iran’s team consists of 10 members including: 5 Zurkhaneh athletes and 2 heavy-weight wrestlers and a Murshed, a coach and a supervisor who will participate in the competition. Two of the 5 Zurkhaneh athletes will also participate in Koshti Pahlavani events.”
The IZSF President was asked: “Following the announcement made by World Wrestling Federation and National Olympic Committee, it has been decided that the responsibility of Koshti Pahlavani be delegated to the Wrestling Federation. However, International Zurkhaneh Sports Federation also claims responsibility for this sport. Does this contradictory management, in addition to the establishment of International Koshti Pahlavani Federation, prevent this sport from inclusion in the Olympic Games?” Dr. Mehralizadeh replied: “We consider Koshti Pahlavani to be originated from Zurkhaneh Sport and Zurkhaneh Sport is somehow the basis for Koshti Pahlavani. Fortunately, both National Federations are active and Wrestling Federation helps to support the National Zurkhaneh Sports Federation.”
He continued: “The International Federation also tries to promote Zurkhaneh Sports all over the world and these two are not contradictory to each other. This sport is a sport that Iran is privileged to own it. But I wonder what the reason for establishing the International Koshti Pahlavani Federation has been; if it is to help promote the sport, we welcome the idea, but if it is to interfere with our affairs, we will separate the tasks.”
Dr. Mehralizadeh stipulated that: “We must not allow them to take away the control of Koshti Pahlavani from Iran, just as they did in case of other sports. In 2007 when we registered the International Federation in Switzerland, it was stipulated in the Constitution that the President and Technical Manager of the federation must be from Iran. They cannot own this sport merely by using the word “Koshti”. Years ago, Mr. Martinetti, the then FILA President, proposed that we work under the International Wrestling Federation, but we did not accept his proposal, because we believe that our history is longer than theirs; on the other hand, it is not becoming of Koshti Pahlavani to be affiliated to the International Wrestling Federation along with more than 60 traditional, secondary and street wrestling styles. This is humiliating for us.”
The President of the International Zurkhaneh Sports Federation said: “We have invested on this sport, because we want to promote Pahlavani concepts. Although it is difficult for us to be included in Olympic Games, we must maintain our independence and stand firm on our position. Koshti Pahlavani has a four-thousand-year history in Iran and to get rid of the troubles caused by traditional wrestling styles, International Wrestling Federation has formed a committee and put them all into a sack. Some of our friends have mistakenly become affiliated to the International Wrestling Federation with the hopes of improving their condition. But many traditional wrestling styles have to compete for inclusion in the Olympic Games. In this regard, we had a lengthy meeting with Mr. Khadem and we need to be more coordinated.”
In answer to ANA News Agency reporter’s question about the reason why only one candidate has registered for the election of the International Federation which is due to be held on the margins of World Championships in Indonesia, Dr. Mehralizadeh said: “11 days are left until the election and individuals who are familiar with this sport and are competent may register.”
Regarding the International Federation’s plan for inclusion of Koshti Pahlavani in the Olympic Games, Dr. Mehralizadeh stated: “in this regard, different items have been considered including holding regular continental and world championships, world cups and regional tournaments and observing doping regulations and increasing the number of affiliated National Federations and their recognition by the respective National Olympic Committees of the countries and continents. On the other hand, political lobbying can be effective in this regard. However, an exact time cannot be determined. A sport like Taekwondo was included in the Olympics after 60 years and Karate has not been included after 100 years. Judo was included after 80 years. We have to go through the same route.”
International Zurkhaneh Sports and Koshti Pahlavani Federation
He added: “Fortunately, our confederations have been established and recognized in 4 continents and have been approved by their respective National Olympic Committees.”
Regarding the revenues of the International Federation and whether or not it receives a budget from the Ministry of Sports and National Olympic Committee, International Zurkhaneh Sports Federation President said: “We have made a great effort to have revenues, but we still do not have an independent and stable revenue apart from governmental aids, because financial sponsors need to be seen to participate. More than 70 percent of the expenditures of the Federation is paid by people out of pocket and 30 percent is provided by governmental aids. The budget allocated to us 7 years ago from the National Budget is insignificant and we do not receive any budget from the Ministry of Sports and National Olympic Committee. Although they can help us, they prefer to support the national federations.” He mentioned the Zurkhaneh Sports events due to be held until the end of the current year and said: “The Fist Pan-American Competitions attended by 18 countries will be held in Peru sponsored by foreign sponsors. Also, the first regional Koshti Pahlavani hall will be opened in Tajikistan. Next year, we will organize Asian Championships in India, European Championships in Portugal and Islamic States Games in Azerbaijan as well as the First Zurkhaneh Sports and Koshti Pahlavani Competitions in the Southeast Asia in Nepal.”