Iran, Armenia sign MoU to expand cooperation in sports, youth affairs
Tehran - BORNA - The agreement was signed in Yerevan on Thursday by Iranian Minister of Sports and Youth Ahmad Donamali and Armenian Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan.
Speaking prior to the signing ceremony, Donamali highlighted Armenia's special position in Iran's neighborhood policy. He outlined key areas for collaboration, including interactions between national and club teams, organizing joint training camps and competitions, exchanging coaches and referees, and utilizing the scientific and educational capacities of both nations.
The Iranian minister specifically pointed to potential collaborations in wrestling, weightlifting, football, boxing, chess, and martial arts. He also emphasized the importance of developing women's sports, fostering connections between youth non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and organizing joint educational programs.
Welcoming the proposals, Andreasyan expressed Armenia's readiness to host joint camps, expand ties between educational centers, cooperate in women's sports, and organize mutual youth initiatives.
Later in his official visit, Donamali toured the Armenian State Institute of Physical Culture and Sport, where he met with the institute's rector, Tigran Simonyan. The two officials discussed the integration of modern technologies and artificial intelligence in sports. Donamali noted that Iran has already begun this technological transition, highlighted by the establishment of one of the world's most modern wrestling camps in the country.
Simonyan praised Iran's advanced sports infrastructure and recent successes, acknowledging a significant gap between the facilities of the two countries.
"As an athlete, I am well acquainted with Iran's Azadi Sports Complex," Simonyan remarked, underscoring the need to leverage mutual experiences and expand scientific and educational ties, particularly given the frequent encounters between the two nations' athletes in Olympic and world championships.
During the visit, Simonyan awarded Donamali the first-ever commemorative medal marking the 80th anniversary of the Armenian institute. The Iranian minister concluded his tour by visiting the institute's museum and signing its memorial guestbook.
End Article