The first national floorball competition for Special Olympic champions (athletes with intellectual disabilities, autism and Down syndrome) was held with the efforts of Special Olympics Iran and with the cooperation of Iran Floorball Association in June 2024 at the Kahrizak Charity Institute.
Due to the upcoming Special Olympics World Games in Turin, Italy, in March 2025 (World Winter Games), a national floorball tournament was held for the preparation of Special Olympics athletes. These competitions were held in continuation of the activities of the Iranian Floorball Association (IFA) in the development of this sport for people with mental disabilities in the country. Ramezanali Davalo, the head of IFA, has launched the sport for centers which are covered by the welfare organization or institutions licensed by the Ministry of Interior. This initiative was established in over nine provinces throughout the whole country. Furthermore, floorball coaching class were hold and the equipment to play floorball was donated to Iran’s Special Olympics representative centers.
There were 42 female athletes and 85 male athletes as well as 30 female coaches/supervisors plus 23 male coaches/supervisors who attended the sessions. They represented over 21 sports teams from 16 rehabilitation centers for people with mental disabilities.
The prominent point in this event was the presence of female athletes with intellectual disability, Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorder. It was also the launch of this discipline in Iran’s Special Olympics women’s sports. If the country’s sports officials cooperate, get the permission of the Overseas Council and the approval of related institutions, the selected athletes of this event will go to the Special Olympics Winter Games – The World Winter Games Torino 2025 in Italy.
The following teams were participating:
1_ Children of Baran Rasht
2_ Angels of Sari
3_ Peikan club in Tehran (Tavangaran Mozur)
4_ Tovaniban Damghan
5_ Arya Alborz’s earthly paradise
6_Gilan Down syndrome center (Lahijan), boys
7_ The life of Zanjan
8- Wafa Khuzestan
9_ Hakim Alborz
10_ Tehran’s Happy Payam Association
11_ Armaghan, Tehran
12_ Gilan Down Syndrome Center, Lahijan Girls
13_ The honor of those who made Tos
14_Khorshid Association of Tehran
14_ Ghadir Fars Association
The winner of the competitions were:
First: Armaghan of Tehran
Second: Angels of Sari
Third: Damghan’s talents
Fortunately, this national event was held with the financial support of the Charitable Association of the Country, Rohi Charitable Foundation, Almas Karimkhan Tower and Kahrizak Charitable Institution, and the support of the Sports Association for the Mentally Retarded, Veterans and Rehabilitation Federation, and with the technical management of the Iran Floorball Association.
Source: Iranian Floorball Federation
