Source: Press TV
Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has promised to
personally intervene and eliminate the factors holding back the country's
football team.
"I must intervene personally to push aside these destructive issues," the
president said in a Sunday interview with Iran's Sports Radio, IRNA reported.
|
Ahmadinejad at national team's practice
archive photo: March 2006 |
Pointing to the disappointing results of Iran's national football team in the
World Cup qualifiers, the incumbent president said, "Unfortunately this sport
has been afflicted with some very bad issues, the elimination of which will take
fundamental planning."
After a dismal series of matches, Iran has almost no chance to qualify for the
2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Following its latest match against North Korea, which ended in a 0-0 draw, Iran
sits in fourth place in its group with 7 points in six matches. Top-place South
Korea has already qualified and the second-place North Korea is almost there,
with 11 points.
President Ahmadinejad, who is presently contesting in a tight fight for a second
term in office, was once a keen amateur football player, and has followed the
national team's ebbs and flows closely.
He took time off from his political campaigning to explain his plans to revive
the appeal of sports in Iran, especially football, which is hugely popular.
He even placed the presidential jet at the disposal of the national team
recently to fly them immediately back from Pyongyang to Tehran on Saturday, so
that the players could find sufficient time to prepare for their next match
against last-placed UAE on June 10.
Mousavi vows to uplift Iran artistic values
Presidential
hopeful Mir-Hossein Mousavi outlines his plans for the future of Iran's art and
culture, stressing the need for more professional and artistic freedom.
"[I will try to] strengthen the country's cultural diversity and support the
creation of literature and art free from imposed personal or partisan tastes,"
the former premier said in a statement.
Mir Hossein Mousavi and his wife Zahra Rahnavard
in a rare scene holding hands. Photo/GhalamNews.ir
|
Mousavi, who is an artist apart from being a politician, named 14 other
promising prospects for the country's art community.
The candidate vowed less government interference in cultural matters, and more
infrastructural investment in a bid to help younger artists flourish.
A staunch critic of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in almost every field, Mousavi
also said that if elected to the top executive post he would give the art
community greater say in their affairs, appoint trusted managers, and support
their unions.
Better insurance, job security and non-governmental support funds for
production, distribution and export of art works, were also on his to-do list.
Mousavi also vowed legal reform to ensure "freedom of speech", "an end to
censorship regulations", and "greater cultural diversity".
Finally, the candidate said that he would build new and world-class theatres,
libraries, art galleries, and museums across the country.
In recent comments,
rival Reformist candidate Mehdi Karroubi also made similar promises about books
and publications.
Mousavi, the country's last prime minister (1981-1989), Karroubi, the two-time
parliament (Majlis) speaker (1989-1992 and 2000-2004), and Expediency Council
Secretary Mohsen Rezaei will challenge incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
on June 12.
... Payvand News - 06/08/09 ... --
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