Shirzanan: By Maryam Majd/ Please see the pictures HERE

The champion was Khozestan’s Gas Club. There were 16 teams with over 80 tennis players from tennis clubs all around the country. Azizi, the deputy manager of tennis federation said, “ based on this years successful event and the high number of participants we hope to continue the league next year.”

She continued, “ Since this year we did not have any sponsors we have the matches and competitions open only to women and without the Islamic Outfit. But if we find sponsors for next year we hope to have the league with Islamic athletic outfit.”

Before Mr. Asgary took the office, there were no signs of fencing matches, but today there is some news about different fencing competitions. The top news is that Iran will be the host of an internation fencing championship. Mr. Asgary said, “ For the February match in Kish Island so far 12 countries have registered. We hope the number increases while we get closer to the match.”

He also notified that two female coaches would be hired for Iran women’s fencing team before the Muslim countries tournament next year. The official hiring times are unknown.

..... These has also concerned the center of public sports development. This center indicated, “The lack of exercising in women in Iran is a problem that can endanger the health of future generation.”

Boys have more opportunities than girls when it comes to physical activities; boys can freely play soccer in the streets and alleys. The urban architecture in Iran is more fit to male activities.

Among the patients in Dr. Rafei’s office a boy seats with a broken leg in cast, the rest of the patients are young or middle-aged women. The office secretary informs me that most of them have arthritis bone pains. One of them is a 28-year old accountant. She says, “ I have a knee problem. I sit from morning to the afternoon behind my desk.” She explains, “I cannot use the gym; women’s hours are in the morning and I work during the day. In the afternoon the time is all men’s.”

Fatemeh Asady, another orthopedist believes, “ Unhealthy diet affects bone problems as well. Unhealthy seating position causes unbalanced shoulders and neck hunches both of which can be seen in young girls. Women have to making time for daily exercises.”

Along with the many physical benefits daily work out affects one’s spirit and mind. It can prevent depression and ease the mind. Building athletic facilities and gymnasiums that can have more hours for women is one way to inspire woman to become more active and the media plays an important role in changing a passive culture to a sports loving one.

..... After a while Chitgar Park closed its women’s cycling tracks because of the space limitation and some safety issues regarding the dangerous winding roads of the tracks. This event forced women to start riding their bicycles in public places like men.

Little by little new cycling tracks and areas were made for both men and women and the public’s eyes got used to seeing women’s cycling. Today one of the largest cycling tracks in the Middle East is located near Chitgar Park nearTehran, where men and women cycle together. Women’s cycling has opened its way up to Tehran’s streets, where women, sometimes even with their black Chadoors ride their bikes.

A young couple, the man is holding his wife’s purse while the woman tries to sit on the bicycle. The man says, “be careful, give me your bag so you have free hands. Take care of your Chadoor so it doesn’t stick to the bike’s chain. If it gets into the bike you will fall badly. Can’t you leave it at that?” The man is concerned for his wife but he doesn’t even recommend her to take off her Chadoor. Finally the woman is on the bike riding freely. And the man gets on his bike and rides next to her while holding her bag. The man is happy now saying: “see you can do it. Be careful there are some sharp turns ahead. Can you tie your Chadoor around your waist.”

I am taking pictures of them quietly. The woman says, “ don’t worry I won’t fall. Just don’t say be careful, b careful. I can ride to the next station.” The man didn’t say anything. He just looks at her like a bodyguard. They get further away from me. some of the pedestrians on the road look at them curiously and for some it is usual to see a woman ride a bike.

There are some women who continue riding their bikes regardless of their outfit [with or without chadoor] even with people’s strange gazes. Nowadays Tehran streets have cycling sections like a small path. There are naturally less women with chadors riding bikes because of the dangers of chadoor trapping them to the wheels. They took their chadoors off while rideing a bike and putting back on when finished their ride. A friend of mine, Neda, who wears chadoor believes that, “ nothing should take away women’s freedom, even Chadoor. There should be New Designs for chadoors so it can become safer for cycling.” Although the government has not band women from cycling the streets in Iran, like many others Neda prefers to cycle in a cycling track. Neda and I visit Chitgar Park usually. Neda always takes off her Chadoor when she is cycling. She says, “ I wear chadoor because I like it. Wearing it satisfies me. No one forced me to do so. I will take it away where it becomes inconvenient and unsafe, like when I am riding my bike.”