Interview
Women’s national squash player in an interview with Shirzanan
We don’t have anything to offer in Asia
Shirzanan: Fereshteh Movahed / translation by Roja Najafi: Squash perhaps is not among the most popular sports in Iran. People don’t care about it and the officials don’t bother with it. May be the lack of advertisement has added to its anonymity. And if the sports authorities cared about this amazingly available sport for women, we could have seen better days in the international level. Iran women’s achievements in squash, although small, should be encouraged, so that we can hope for a better future in this field. To get a closer look to women’s squash in Iran we will talk to Nazanin Heidari, the co-coach and the player of the women’s national squash team.
What do you think of women’s squash in Iran?
This year was good year for us. We start working with a foreign coach and we participated in an international squash competition. These international tournaments are good experiences. It was good way to evaluate our level in squash.
Do you feel any real difference between this year and the previous years? Do you see any progress in women’s squash in Iran?
In the past two years we have improved a lot. For sometime our biggest challenge was to find a good and up-to-date coach. Squash is a high-speed sport. If we want to get to the international level of speed we need to work with a man as our coach. All over the world the women squash players play with men and we are not allowed to do it. Of course we made a lot of progress but we are still behind the international level.
What do you think we should do to get better in a shorter period of time?
Well of course a male coach will help a lot then an organized camping schedule. If they spend the same amount of money that they give to men’s squash to women’s division we may have something to offer in the next two years.
Since you are a co-coach for the team, how much the recent coaching classes were useful? What is the level of coaching in the country?
In the summer we have a series of coaching classes under the supervision of a Pakistani coach. It was very useful I think. We need t continue having these classes, to stay fit in terms of technical knowledge. In Tehran we have a lot of improvements. But we still need an international coach for the national team.
How is the situation in smaller towns and provinces?
there was supposed to be a national club league, but it was canceled. They are going to have it next year. If we promote this sport among the clubs, then we can attract privet sponsors. We have many people in other provinces that are interested in this game.
Is there any problems regarding the Islamic athletic outfits that you wear while playing?
Not any more, we solved the problem this spring.
What a bout the budget for women’s squash?
Unfortunately women in squash are not getting enough resources. We did not have any camps this year!
How are we doing in Asia?
Unfortunately we do not have anything to offer. But it can change next year if we get a good coach and if we practice hard and organized. Our only problem is the speed. We need to get to the international speed level.
