TEHRAN - Iran has named 16 Oct. as National Paralympic Day and the country's officials have agreed to make the Day in the country’s calendar.

It is hoped that by giving Paralympic sport this opportunity to showcase itself, it will further develop para-sport in the country.

Furthermore, Iran aims to be considered a role model to other countries that are looking to change the perceptions of the public towards people with an impairment by promoting their capabilities.

Every year, the Iranian National Paralympic Committee celebrates their ‘National Paralympic Week’ with a series of sporting events and cultural and development programs for people with impairment, particularly the younger generation, in a bid to familiarize them with para-sports.

The 15th National Paralympic Day, an annual festival aimed at boosting Para sports culture, was held in all cities of Iran last year.

The festival encourages all cities across the country to dedicate the day to children and people with disabilities. More than 60,000 participants, representing 31 provinces, celebrated this event in 2022.

The Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) President Majid Rashed was in Tehran's Azadi Indoor Stadium, which has a capacity of 12,000, to watch thousands of people with impairments gather to play and celebrate Para sports.

The APC President also underlined the importance of hosting such an event to put a spotlight on the Paralympic Movement, which changes attitudes towards people with disabilities.

A video message from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons was played at a special ceremony in the Iranian capital. In it, the IPC President underlined the important role of families of people with disabilities.