“Historical Calendar – The Importance of Expanding the Confederation’s Activities and Utilizing Sports Diplomacy in Promoting the Culture of Chivalry (Part Third)”
Holding of Iran’s Pahlevani (Heroic) Sports Ceremony in Korea / The Cry of “Ya Ali” Echoed in Seoul
On the occasion of the blessed birth anniversary of Imam Ali (PBUH), the athletes of Iran’s National Zurkhaneh and Pahlevani Sports Team showcased various traditional athletic performances in South Korea, presenting aspects of Iran’s spiritual and heroic sports traditions.
According to IRNA, the event was held at Hankuk University in Seoul and was attended by a large number of students, Persian language professors, and university officials. The performances by the Iranian national team were warmly welcomed by the audience.
During the ceremony, members of Iran’s Zurkhaneh Sports Team created impressive scenes blending spirituality and athleticism, while, accompanied by the sound of the bell and the chants of the Morshed (spiritual guide), they recalled the virtues and noble characteristics of Imam Ali (PBUH), the Commander of the Faithful.
The performances were repeatedly applauded by Dr. Yoo Dal-seon, President of Hankuk University, as well as other Persian language professors at the institution. Hankuk University is one of the largest universities in the South Korean capital and hosts a Department of Iranian Studies and Persian Language.
The ceremony was also attended by Ali Dadgar, Head of Iran’s Zurkhaneh Sports Federation; Amirreza Ayrom, International Advisor and member of the Asian Development Committee of Zurkhaneh Sports; and several other federation officials.
Iran’s selected Zurkhaneh and Pahlevani team—comprising Morshed Mehdi Tamouli, Seyed Sajad Mousavi, Mohammad Mehdi Shavandi, Hossein Saemi, Ali Jalijoo, Mohsen Golestani-zadeh, and Pezhman Sekonati—had traveled to South Korea to participate and perform at the opening ceremony of the headquarters of the Asian Confederation of Zurkhaneh Sports in the city of Busan.
This event was held on Tuesday, April 18, with the attendance of Hassan Taherian, Iran’s Ambassador to South Korea; Mohsen Mehralizadeh, President of the International Zurkhaneh Sports Federation (IZSF); several officials from Iran’s Ministry of Sports and Youth; as well as Busan’s municipal and sports authorities.
Currently, 84 countries are members of the International Zurkhaneh and Pahlevani Sports Federation (IZSF), which is headquartered in Tehran and presided over by Mohsen Mehralizadeh of Iran.
