Iran Press - Talking on the occasion of Chogan ( Persian for POLO ) registration ceremony, describing Polo as part of Iran's intangible cultural and sporting heritage.
UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), has now registered Polo (Chogan in Persian) as a sport originating in Iran. The minister of sport and youth Masoud Soltanifar called the event "a great day for Iran". Soltanifar went on to congratulate all Iranians around the world, saying Iranians are those whose every heart beat, and every drop of blood is for Iran's grandeur and prosperity.
Soltanifar stressed the fact that through registration Iran could finally attain his own rights for this is a historic sport originating from Iranian culture and history .He also stressed the this kind of sport has also been emphasized in the Islamic teachings as well as in Leader's remarks.
He went on to describe the registration by UNESCO as "a joint effort" by Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, and the ministry of Sport and Youth -- a joint effort to overcome hurdles; a joint effort which took many years to accomplish.
Referring to Iranian society's interest in equestrian sports, including horse riding and Polo / Chogan , Soltanifar expressed hope that the sport could be further developed in Iran, so that it could bring fame and medals for Islamic Iran all around the world. He also said sporting facilities and sporting bodies are to be formed in provinces all across the country .
Finally ,the minister for sports explained that all the necessary steps would be taken to improve equestrian sports and horse riding in Iran. However he suggested several crucial steps like using international coaches, genetic manipulation and improvement in horse breeding, sending Iranian coaches abroad for training courses as well as sport training camps and tournaments, can all be used to improve equestrian sports.
Iran’s proposals for UNESCO registration of Polo ( Chogan ) and Kamancheh (a bowed string musical instrument) were approved at the 12th session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage, held on Jeju Island, South Korea, on Dec. 4-9 2017 .
Chogan or 'Polo' that originated in ancient Iran, has been registered as UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Chogan is a sporting team game with horses and a version of the modern polo game. From time immemorial it was considered an aristocratic game and held in a separate field, on specially trained horses. Nowadays, Chogan is played in Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan.
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