INCHEON, South Korea: The captain of Iran’s unbeaten basketball team at the Asian Games has called on the sports governing body to let his country host the Asian Championship.
Iran have won the FIBA Asian Championship three times since 2007, once each in Japan (2007), China (2009) and the Philippines (2013).
Mohammad ‘Samad’ Nikkah Bahrami believes it is time for FIBA Asia to look away from the traditional powers in the east of the continent when deciding the 2017 edition.
“FIBA should give the Asian Championships to us for sure,” Nikkah Bahrami, whose side beat seven times Games champions China to reach Wednesday’s semi-final against Kazakhstan, said.
“If you see all the important games, they always give it to China. Olympic qualification is in China. World Cup qualification is in China. The not so important tournaments they give to Korea, Japan, the Philippines,” he added.
“We can do it. We have a very good team. Since 2007 we have won a lot of Asian Championships. We have the facilities.”
The next Asian Championships, which are held every two years, are to be hosted by China next year. They will double up as Olympic qualifiers, with the winners automatically gaining a place in the 2016 Rio Games. The 2017 Asian Championships are still up for grabs and the winners of that event will qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
Iran suffers from international sanctions over its nuclear programme.
While there is no direct link to sports, the country’s isolation in the international monetary system could make it difficult for any federatioin to stage a major championship in Iran, experts said.
Any Iranian bid would face opposition from other powers such as Saudi Arabia.
Nikkah Bahrami believes that Iranian fans should be given the chance to support their heroes at home however.
“We are winning a lot of championships and people see it on TV. I don’t know why we never get to host some international games because a lot of Iranian people would come out to support, they love their basketball.
“FIBA Asia don’t give any important games to Iran. And if you see all of the championships we won, they were all outside our country. Our people want to see it inside.”
He said that basketball was growing rapidly in Iran on the back of the national team’s success.
“Football is of course the number one sport in Iran. All countries in the world they love soccer. But basketball is challenging volleyball now as number two. There are courts everywhere.”
AFP
