According to "Varzesh 3", Manouchehr Nikfar, the CEO of Sepahan Club, spoke about Sepahan's sports activities and future plans during the ceremony marking the 73rd anniversary of the club's establishment.

Congratulating the anniversary of Sepahan Club's establishment, Nikfar said: "Today we celebrate the 73rd anniversary of the founding of a club that is beloved and popular. We also honor the memory of the late Hariri, who planted the sapling of Sepahan, and today this organization continues its path with the support of Mobarakeh Steel Company."

Regarding the increase in the number of club teams, he said: "Last year, 68 teams with about 2,300 athletes and coaches were active in Sepahan, but this year the number of teams has reached 74, and the number of athletes and coaches has exceeded 2,500."

The CEO of Sepahan also stated that to improve the conditions of the teams, the club has focused on infrastructure, human resources, facilities, and the management structure. According to him, the majority of claims have also been paid according to the schedule.

Pointing to the presence of the club's athletes in national teams, Nikfar stated: "10 Sepahan football players are members of the national teams, with seven in the senior team and three in the youth team. In total, 113 Sepahan athletes in various disciplines are members of the national teams."

Regarding the performance of Sepahan athletes in the Nagoya Asian and Para-Asian Games, he said: "21 Sepahan athletes participated in six disciplines at the Nagoya Asian Games, and 11 percent of the gold medals in these competitions went to the club's athletes. Also, seven Sepahan athletes participated in the Para-Asian Games and won two silver and two bronze medals. The Paralympic volleyball team also won a silver medal."

Regarding the activities of the club's championship teams, the Sepahan CEO said: "The number of men's championship teams has increased from 30 teams in 2025 to 37 teams across 18 sports disciplines. In the women's section, 23 teams are active in 11 disciplines, and the women's basketball team has been added to the organization to compete in the Iran Pro League."

Pointing to the activities of the Sepahan football academy, he added: "This academy operates with 15 teams and more than 700 athletes and members. Last year, Sepahan athletes also won 29 first places, 15 second places, and six third places in municipal, provincial, and national competitions. Of course, due to wartime conditions, 10 sports leagues remained unfinished."

Nikfar also announced that 52 schools named Sepahan are active across the country, and talent identification programs from schools are being pursued in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. According to him, weightlifting and freestyle wrestling academies are also set to be launched in Sadeghiyeh Lenjan and the city of Isfahan.

Regarding the club's plan to increase the number of athletes, Nikfar said: "Currently, about 2,500 athletes and coaches are active in Sepahan. Our goal is to increase the number of athletes to 5,000 in the next three years by developing academies and expanding sports in the community."

Emphasizing the importance of ethics and culture in sports, he said: "Sepahan is a cultural and sports club, and culture is not just a slogan for us. The club's veterans have always prioritized the discipline and ethics of athletes because the heroic spirit and ethical behavior hold value beyond cups and awards."

The Sepahan CEO further announced the addition of disciplines such as karate, athletics, triathlon, men's and women's basketball, and freestyle wrestling to the club's organization, stating that Mobarakeh Steel Company also supports more than 8,000 athletes in public and professional disciplines.

In conclusion, regarding the club's future plans, Nikfar said: "A three- to five-year plan has been formulated to improve the sports conditions of the province through the development of academies, expansion of infrastructure, identification of talents, and improvement of sports management."

He expressed hope that Isfahan will turn into one of the main sports hubs of the country in the next three to five years and that Sepahan will achieve greater accomplishments in Iranian sports and global competitions in the coming years.

Source: Varzesh 3