Slaughter of polo!
The sport of polo, which is an ancient Iranian discipline and its development is emphasized by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, is not doing well these days and has faced many challenges over the past few months.
According to ISNA, according to the numerous evidences and documents that exist, polo is the oldest sports game in the world and these games were played between Iranians and Turanians in 600 BC; According to historical documents in Iran, this sport is more than 3,000 years old and is part of the Iranian identity. Lacrosse is a reminder of the sweet memories of the people and that is why the roles and drawings of this passionate game have been seen in many cultural, artistic and handicraft works of Iranians.
However, over the past year, the situation of polo in the country is very vague and it is not clear what is the view of this sport; In speech, the sport of polo is supported, but in practice, we see clashes and challenges between the company for the development and maintenance of sports venues with the federation and the polo complex.
Lacrosse Federation claims
It was on November 19 last year that Ebrahim Nozai, the president of the polo federation, announced that the polo and equestrian complex of the martyrs (Firoozeh Palace) had been given to the polo federation under a BOT contract and about 12 years had passed since the contract. The country has announced that the contract has expired, but legally we need to know that there were clauses in the contract that the development and maintenance company had to comply with. He pointed out that if the company does not comply with the provisions of the relevant contract, according to the addendum, the contract remains in force, he said that therefore legally continue the activities of the polo federation in the polo and equestrian complex. The martyrs (Turquoise Palace) are unimpeded.
Recently, the seal of the polo and equestrian complex of the martyrs (Firoozeh Palace) was put on the agenda by the company for the development and maintenance of the country’s sports venues, and it was announced by installing a banner that the polo federation has no responsibility in this complex and a contract should be concluded. At the same time, according to the president of the polo federation, they announced that the polo federation should be emptied and this complex belongs to the company for the development and maintenance of the country’s sports venues. Turquoise Palace) was blocked.
Ineffective request from 2 ministers
The polo federation has twice asked Masoud Soltanifar and Hamid Sajjadi to provide the polo and equestrian complex of the martyrs (Firoozeh Palace) to the federation as a pilot, however, both requests have remained unanswered. Pointing out that we think that considering the 60-hectare area of the polo complex and the equestrian complex of the martyrs (Firoozeh Palace), the officials of the Sports Facilities Development and Maintenance Company are looking to generate income from this complex, he said: And there was equestrianism of the martyrs (Firoozeh Palace), but after the meetings we held with the former Minister of Sports and Youth, they realized that they should not look at polo as a source of income, and we thought that in the new era, more than before, this national and ancient sport Support, but unfortunately there is no such atmosphere, and our inference is that the company for the development and maintenance of sports venues only seeks to generate revenue from this complex.
Noting that the Supreme Leader has also paid special attention to the field of polo and emphasized on its revival and development, Nozai said: “The polo and equestrian complex of the martyrs (Firoozeh Palace) is a historical and cultural place that should be preserved by using polo. Let’s protect it, because there is a discussion about the history and culture of Iranians, and this complex should be considered as a polo pilot infrastructure, and no other use can be considered for it, because it has become a national registration and cultural heritage, and no other use can be considered for it. Be. We talked to the Minister of Sports and Youth twice about assigning this complex and the company was instructed to develop and maintain sports facilities, but practically no action was taken by this company, and the polo and equestrian complex of the martyrs (Firoozeh Palace) is on the air! Unfortunately, the company has complained to the judiciary about the seizure of state property, believing that it is a seizure because the contract has expired and a new contract has not been concluded.
It is not possible to change the use of the Turquoise Palace complex
The polo and equestrian complex of the martyrs (Firoozeh Palace) has been registered as a national monument in the list of immovable national monuments of Iran, and the use of this polo complex is in this regard. The Sports Facilities Development and Maintenance Company has written that there is no right to change the use or construction of this complex, and any action in this regard is against the law.
The view of the Ministry of Sports; From slogan to action!
Hamid Sajjadi, Minister of Sports and Youth, said in a meeting between Iranian sports officials and the Iraqi delegation that the development of championship sports by these two friendly and neighboring countries will strengthen relations between the two countries: “My wish is for Iran to develop infrastructure.” Iraqi sports will be useful, and I have a few suggestions, polo is the origin of Iran, and I hope to strengthen this sport in both countries.
The Minister of Sports and Youth also announced at the celebration of handing over the shares of Sorkhabi to the people: “I hope that the ground will be prepared for the formation of Esteghlal and Persepolis women’s teams, also if these two clubs decide to have blue and red teams in polo.” It is true that we have about 100 years of modern sports in the country, but when we go back in history, we also had sports a few thousand years ago, 4,000 years ago we had a wrestling wrestler whose shape was different. Another of these disciplines is polo, which I say as a sports servant, and this goes back to the officials of the two clubs. When we have polo with a history of 3,500 years, we do not have more than 4 or 5 club teams in its club competitions in the country. I hope if these two clubs decide, we will have blue and red teams in polo.
The recent remarks of the Minister of Sports and Youth show Hamid Sajjadi’s positive view of polo and his direct support for the sport; What has not happened in practice so far and we have to wait and see what is the real and practical approach of the Ministry of Sports and Youth in dealing with polo?
What does the “People’s Government Transformation Document” say?
According to the “People’s Government Transformation Document”, prioritizing the transfer of management of sports facilities to sports federations and delegations, municipalities, villages and public institutions has been set as a task for the Ministry of Sports and Youth, which should be a medium-term plan by the Ministry of Sports and Youth. “The Presidential Special Inspection Office should be considered.”
Obstruction and indecision again!
Recently, however, in a situation where the status of the polo and equestrian complex of the martyrs (Turquoise Palace) is still unclear and the polo federation has asked the Ministry of Sports and Youth to determine the task in this regard, Tehran polo players were barred from entering the complex on April 12th. In order to train and rebel, they faced their horses and it was decided that the president of the polo federation would go to the Ministry of Sports and Youth again and in a conversation with the Minister of Sports and Youth to solve this challenging issue that has long inflamed the country’s polo sport. Encountered, solve. Finally, we have to wait and see what will happen to the polo and equestrian complex of the martyrs (Firoozeh Palace) and whether this complex will be given to the polo federation or the sports facilities development and maintenance company will take full management of this complex; The result that the Ministry of Sports and Youth has a great impact on the figure.