Isfahan should not be known only for its artists and craftsmen, but it also has other significant figures who are well known in international sports and play an important role in making major decisions. The Isfahan Commemoration Week is a great opportunity to introduce these influential people.
Bahram Afsharzadeh
After serving as the director general of Isfahan sports for a period, Afsharzadeh moved to Tehran and assumed different responsibilities including the Secretary General of Iran National Olympic Committee, the director of several sports federations and the General Manager of Esteghlal F.C. He was a member of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Executive Board for 16 years and the OCA Finance Committee for four years. This Isfahani manager has also served as Asia’s technical representative in the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC).
Seyed Mohammad Pouladgar
The power of Iran taekwondo and Pouladgar’s continued presence in its federation led to his admission to global associations. He has been the Vice President of Asian Taekwondo Union (WT Asia) for nearly 20 years, still holding the position, and formerly was the president of union’s West Asian division for an eight-year period. Pouladgar was a member of the World Taekwondo Executive Council for eight years and is now Iran’s Deputy Minister of Sports and Youth.
Ali Kafashian
Kafashian reached the peak of his fame in his eight-year presidency of Iran Football Federation and is specifically known for his distinctive laughs. He was the Secretary General of West Asian Games Federation for one term and the Vice President of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for four years. He once was the President of AFC Futsal and Beach Soccer Committee as well.
Alireza Rahimi
After a period of directing Isfahan sports, Rahimi was elected as the President of Iran Handball Federation and held the position for nearly two decades. At one time he also became the Vice President of Asian Handball Federation to play a part in making decisions concerning this sport in the world’s largest continent. He was once in charge of the Technical Committee of Asian Beach Handball Championships as well.
Mehdi Taj
The vice presidency and later the presidency of Iran Football Federation paved the way for Taj’s entrance into international associations. The vice presidency of AFC, the presidency of AFC Futsal and Beach Soccer Committee, and the membership of AFC Emergency Committee are among the positions held by Taj, who also speaks with a lovely Isfahani accent, and he still holds a number of them.
Afshin Badiee
Badiee’s executive position in Iran Table Tennis Federation helped him connect with international organizations of the sport. He served as a member of the Asian Table Tennis Union (ATTU) for 20 years and also the vice president of union’s Central Asian division for 12 years. This international figure has supervised the procedure of organizing training camps in different continents and was a member of the jury in Tokyo 2020 Olympics. He was recently appointed as the new Secretary General of ATTU.
Katayoon Ashraf
Ashraf was presented with the Golden Paddle for the project of developing canoeing in the Middle East. She is a member of the World Padel Academy (WPA) and serves as the Coach of Iran Women’s National Canoe Slalom Team and the Vice President of Iran Canoe, Rowing & Sailing Federation for women. Ashraf has also judged as an international referee in many events.
Habibollah Nazerian
This Isfahani manager was the head of Iran Karate Federation for about 16 years. As a representative of Asian Karate Federation (AKF), he also entered the competition of World Karate Federation (WKF) and became a member of its executive committee.
Alireza Habibi
This Isfahani coach has formerly lead Iran Men’s National Handball Team. He has passed several international courses and is now among the teachers of International Handball Federation (IHF), conducting Olympic Solidarity training courses for coaches in different continents. He officially supervises the procedure of issuing coaching certificates in Asia as well.
Mehri Mosavar
Translator: Afsaneh Sadeghi
