Fazel Atrachali, appointed as the male flag bearer for the Iranian delegation at the Asian Games in Nagoya, expressed pride in this honor and hope for the national team to win a gold medal at the continental event.
Iran, one of the leading forces in Kabaddi in Asia and the world, plans to participate in Nagoya with high ambitions. Meanwhile, India intends to once again demonstrate its superiority over Iran and the rest of Asia.
Atrachali gave an exclusive interview to Tehran Times, where he spoke about his preparation and Iran's prospects at the Asian Games. He noted that amidst the current difficult circumstances related to his country, carrying the national flag can serve as a symbol of strength and authority, making this duty particularly significant.
The team captain added that it is a very big responsibility, as their delegation's name is 'Children of Minab', which strengthens his sense of duty. He also expressed pride in the opportunity to represent well-known athletes such as Aryan Salimi and the wrestlers in the delegation during the opening ceremony.
When asked about expectations for Iran's performance at the Asian Games, the national team captain emphasized that Iran cannot underestimate any opponent. He cited Malaysia, which showed very strong play in previous competitions despite initial predictions.
Furthermore, Atrachali mentioned that teams such as South Korea, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Chinese Taipei have also demonstrated high results in recent years, and it would be a mistake to assume that India is the only serious competitor, although India remains a traditional and long-standing rival.
He recalled a controversial incident at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou, when the match between Iran and India was stopped for a long time due to refereeing issues. Despite expectations that officials would rule in favor of Iran, this did not happen. Atrachali commented on this case, stating that the match was interrupted for 70 minutes, but it eventually became clear that the Indian side had more influence in the referees' decisions, and they won. He also noted that he played alongside several Indian players and knows them well.
The captain concluded that although statistically and on paper, Indian players might be better, Iran has always been stronger in terms of teamwork. He admitted that in terms of conditions, technique, and tactics, they might only have ten percent of what their opponents possess, but ninety percent of success depends on belief and mentality. He stated that the team will take the court with the goal of winning the gold medal, regardless of whether the opponent is India or Pakistan.