TEHRAN – Iran celebrated the 15th National Paralympic Day in Tehran's Azadi Stadium on Sunday.

The Day was celebrated in Tehran in 2003 for the first time and Iran’s National Paralympic Committee (NPC) has marked the event every year since then. 

The event plays an important role in discovering the new talents and became part of the national calendar in 2016 following a Presidential order. 

The Paralympic Day brought thousands of people with impairments across the country together. President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Andrew Parsons also sent a video message, praising the Iranian Para athletes and wishing them all the best.
Majid Rashed, head of Asian Paralympic Committee, attended the celebration for the first time.

He was joined by Tarek Souei, the Chief Executive Officer of the Asian Paralympic Committee, in the ceremony.

The main goals of the NPC are to introduce the Paralympic Movement to Iranian society, contribute to the inclusion of people with disabilities.

Mahmoud Khosravi Vafa, President of Iran's NPC, has said they want to register it as an International Day.

Three-time archery champion Zahra Nemati, three-time gold medalist shooter Sareh Javanmardi and two-time gold medal winner sitting volleyballer Morteza Mehrzad have participated in the National Paralympic Day over the past years. Late Siamand Rahman, as the most powerful powerlifter in the world, was also attending the celebration and it shows that how important the Day is. 

Iran has progressed in Paralympic sports and turned into a powerhouse nation in the recent editions. 

In total, Iran has achieved 60 golds, 48 silvers and 45 bronzes since making its Paralympic debut at Seoul 1988.