TEHRAN – Head coach of Iran’s women’s sitting volleyball team, Leyla Beryanian, says that the team need support to shine in Asian and world stages.

Team Melli narrowly missed the chance to secure their spot in the 2024 Paralympic Games. Iran lost to Slovenia 3-2 in the last day and Beryanian said that there is a bright future ahead of her team if they will be supported.

“After the 2022 Asian Para Games, our team had no plan to take part in the 2024 WPV Sitting Volleyball Final Paralympics Qualifiers for Women but eventually we partook in the event without playing warm-up matches,” Beryanian said.

“We are runners-up in Asia but the other teams are progressing fast and we need to improve as well. It will definitely be difficult for us to maintain our position in Asia. The Team need support and our players are capable of participating in the Paralympic Games but as I’ve already said, the team should be supported,” the head coach went on to say.

“We have to plan for the next four years from today. The current generation will change by a 30% change in the next four years, and from today we have to think about replacing players, all of which require financial support and careful planning,” she concluded.