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Pezeshkian hails student Olympiad for promoting national solidarity
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on August 27, hailed the 17th National Student Cultural and Sports Olympiad as a “symbol of national solidarity,” saying the nationwide university competition was helping foster sportsmanship, responsibility and social cohesion among young Iranians.
In a message to the event, which is being held at Shahroud University of Technology and Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Pezeshkian said Iran was going through a sensitive period in its history that called for greater “unity, empathy, friendship and harmony.” The Olympiad, he noted, brings together thousands of male and female students from universities and higher-education institutions across the country, President.ir reported.
“The student Olympiad is also a symbol of this national solidarity,” Pezeshkian wrote. “Alongside competition, it strengthens ethics, sportsmanship and a sense of responsibility.”
The president described young people as a major national asset and said their knowledge, abilities, vitality and creativity would underpin Iran’s future development. He called for greater opportunities for young people to develop their talents and take on future responsibilities.
The Olympiad combines academic and athletic life, bringing together individual effort and teamwork in a setting designed to promote physical activity as well as personal development.
“University sports are not merely about physical fitness or winning titles and medals,” Pezeshkian said. He described sporting competition as a means of cultivating a healthy lifestyle, perseverance, hope and a sense of responsibility.
The boys’ section is being held in Shahroud, in Semnan Province, while the girls’ section is taking place in Mashhad, the capital of Razavi Khorasan Province. The boys’ competition has already produced champions in 10 disciplines, with universities including Shahroud University of Technology, University of Tabriz, Iran University of Science and Technology, Bu-Ali Sina University, University of Gilan, University of Tehran and Farhangian University among the gold medalists.
The Shahroud University of Technology won the men’s doubles tennis title, marking its first championship in the history of its participation in the Olympiad. The girls’ competitions are continuing, with the University of Shiraz securing gold in the mixed 4x50-meter swimming relay.
Pezeshkian also called for universities to strengthen sports programs, identify promising young athletes and provide pathways for them to compete at national and international levels.
He thanked organizers, particularly Ferdowsi University of Mashhad and Shahroud University of Technology, and expressed hope that the competitions would give students valuable experience while encouraging greater camaraderie and participation in university life.