World Cup qualification Iranian style.

   As always when the Asian cup in soccer gets concluded, the qualifications for the world cup will be the hottest issue. All the teams involved will be focusing on the best possible preparation, but still the Iranian football is struggling to hire a head coach.There has been tons of speculations going on about who will be appointed as the head coach of the national team in this unorganized and turmoil like situation. Is a foreign coach the ultimate choice for the team or the federation will be settling for a local coach? This undecided situation will definitely harm the Iranian football now that the world has the conviction that Iran has the most talented players in the continent.

When the federation is in deep trouble to find an appropriate coach, how can they be supposed to organize a professional league in Iran by next year? In my book the first chore the people in charge of the Iranian soccer got to do is to create better opportunities for the country youth who have the lowest possible chances to prove their skills on the national pitches. It is the dream of every player in Iran to wear the jersey of Persepolis or Esteghlal whereas there are so many established clubs in Tabriz, Isfahan or elsewhere which can raise the potential of these teenage players. I recall when I participated at the junior high school contests which used to be held every year in different zones in Iran, featuring many sporting events before the revolution. At the time of medal ceremonies in Zanjan when the names of the Tehrani winners were read , the home crowd started to scream in dissatisfaction and protest. Why, because they believed that all the opportunities and provisions were handed to the Tehrani players. This vicious circle has been unfortunately going on ever since and no improvement is in prospect.

Faramarz Bagheri S.

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