Tehran, IRNA – Iran’s Ministry of Sport and Youth announced on Saturday that it will pursue through international channels a move by the US, Canada and Britain to deny Iranian athletes visas to take part in world championships.
The announcement was made by Mohammad Hassan Taghizadeh, in charge of international affairs at the ministry on Saturday.
He called the move political, hostile and unwise, which violates sports regulations.
Taghizadeh said that the case will be seriously pursued offering evidence that the rights of the Iranian athletes have been violated.
The ministry official said that the visa denial has prevented Iranian sportsmen to take part in matches in different fields such as tennis, football and karate.
In May, Canada’s national men’s football team also withdrew from a friendly match with Iran, citing what it called the untenable geopolitical situation of Iran.
Taghizadeh said that the Canadian move was a political decision too, adding that the Ministry of Sport and Youth is following up that case as well and results will be announced soon.
Source: Islamic Republic News Agency – IRNA
