Briefing the local press, the Secretary General of NOC Bahram Afsharzadeh added, "The main objective behind paying pension and salary to the champions is to motivate the national athletes and lift their spirit."

pointing to the elections of Sportsmen Commission, he continued, "We should enjoy and apply the athletes and their ideas to promote different fields of sports."

The sports manager of Kish Free Trade Zone (FTZ) putting great emphasis on providing the island with more sporting facilities expressed hope that the officials of national teams coordinate the affairs related to training sessions with the FTZ's authorities and use the island's facilities to prepare the teams for participation in 2002 Asian Games in South Korean city of Pusan.

The football pitch of Kish is ready and at present 7 tennis courts, two swimming pools, one beach volleyball field, one boxing hall, facilities for equestrian, one multipurpose gym, and one chess hall have been set up, explained the NOC secretary general.

Afsharzadeh said that 18 sports committees are active on Kish Island and added that a four-sided soccer tournament would be held from August 16-23 in which the favorite team of Tehran, Esteghlal, Isfahan-based Sepahan, juniors' national team of Iran, and representative of Kish would participate.

Then he referred to the nationwide tennis contests, "Iran Strongest Men" clashes, countrywide sitting volleyball competitions to be held in mid-July and added, "The West Asian zone tennis competitions, Davis Cup, are to be held in Kish late August."