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 Rowing is moving forward in Iran. In a recent visit to this Middle Eastern nation FISA’s Events and Development Consultant Matt Draper noticed the changes as the country takes another step towards international rowing. They have hired a new head coach and are actively recruiting athletes.
Draper notes, “Newly appointed Head Coach Nick Gioga has made a quick and dynamic impression from day one upon arrival in Iran. Already the talent scouts are out looking for potential recruits for the programme.”
Draper says Gioga, who has coached the Romanian women to Olympic gold, has ambitious goals. Gioga wants medals for Iran from the Asian Championships later this year in Korea. “Gioga has the credentials to succeed. He was a multi-medal winning coach from Romania who then went on to coach in China and made an instant impact when his crews won medals at the 2003 World Championships.”
 ''If ambition and drive count for anything, then Iranian Rowing will be a force in the near future,'' says Draper.
The talent identification process that has started in Iran has already pushed many athletes into the programme. Athletes from volleyball and swimming are just a few of the recruits being sought. The recruiters use the desire for athletes to compete at the Olympic Games as the draw card.
In Iran football is the national sport and currently the rowers train at the Azadi Sports Training Complex in capital city Tehran. The training lake backs onto the Azadi football stadium that seats 100,000 spectators. The course has been there for about 30 years.
 “And,” says Draper, “it’s not just men. Young women match the men in both potential and numbers in the programme.” The programme can now boast about 20 males and 20 females involved.
Plans are also being discussed to expand the rowing programme with a new training center and possibly an international sprint regatta. “Under the guidance of Federation President Donyamali and Secretary General, Taymourtash, the whole federation is focused on making Iranian rowing one of the sports success stories,” says Draper.
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