Interview
The deputy manager of Skating Federation in an interview with Shirzanan
We are looking forward to seeing a foreign coach either from Italy or Columbia
Shirzanan: Fereshteh Movahed /translated by Roja Najafi: for a long time Iran women’s Skating team were unsatisfied with the limited space they had for exercising. They are playing in a low standard piste in Pardisan Park in Tehran. The women’s national skating team only gets 5 percent of the federation budget and they are looking to obtain more by participating in more international games. Skating is among popular sports in Iran and people are in favor of developing this sport in a more professional level. We are having an interview with Jilla Soroush, the deputy manager of skating federation in Iran to know more about the developments of this sport.
Mrs. Soroush, please tell us about the women’s skating in Iran?
In 2002 skating committee started to work under the Public Sports Organization. Back then we only worked on speed and performance areas. In 2004 we had the first deployment to Asian Championships. We do not have Inline Aggressive Skating yet.
Why?
Maybe because this branch needs more dangerous acrobatic movements; it is harder to attract girls toward this form of skating.
How is the ranking of Iran in skating? How is our progress?
In 2006 Iran placed in high level in Asia both in senior and junior level. In women’s team we progressed in technical and we had more applications. At first years, we had only 50 people participating in national competitions. But right now we have 27 teams from all over the country.
What is level of Iran’s opponents in Asia?
Asian teams are world champions. So we have a hard challenge a head of us.
What are the plans for the preparatory camps?
Unfortunately most of our team members are high school students and have classes until June. So we will start the camps in summer.
Who is the head coach for women’s skating team?
We are in writing correspondence with two coaches from Italy and Colombia. We are waiting to hear from them.
What problems women’s team is facing?
Low Budget; this is our biggest problem. After that we need to have a standard piste. Our girls are very talented and I see lots of potential in the women’s team.
