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In an exclusive interview with IRNA here on the subject, Alok Sinha said: “Iranian team’s performance at the Word Cup was extremely impressive. The never-say-die attitude of the team was absolutely superb and no one would have complained if they had won that game against Portugal and made to the Round of 16. The fact that Iranian fans were allowed to watch the matches sitting inside the stadium back home was also commendable.”
On the sporting areas where Iran and India can cooperate to enhance their sporting capabilities, the seasoned analyst of the sports, said: “Football is an area where India can learn a lot from Iran. We have had Argentina's best team playing in India and it will be great to see the Iranian World Cup team playing here.
The Indian football team can also play against a quality opposition and improve. It will be great to have Iranian club sides playing in India from time to time as well. Many football academies are coming up in India and I am sure Iranian assistance will be invaluable for India in building players for the future.”
“India, on the other hand, can help Iran grow their kabaddi team with similar exchange programs. Wrestling and chess are the other areas where these two countries can closely collaborate.” He added
On the possibility of India helping Iran’s Cricket team to inter into the world stage, he said: “Cricket needs new nations and the first thing Iranian Cricket Board should do is to seek Board of Control for Cricket with India's assistance. Afghanistan had done the same and they now have a base in Dehradun in north India where they are playing their home matches. Iran is just starting off and BCCI would be happy to send coaches and help them develop the game.
'India has a lot of private cricket academies like the Sri Ramachandra Medical College (SRMC) and MRF Pace Academy in Chennai. There are several academies in Delhi too. If the Iranian board asks for assistance from SRMC and looks for a tie-up, they will be happy to be a part of it. There are great facilities where teams from South- East Asia, the Netherlands and Afghanistan come and practice and Iran can do the same.”
Terming the future of the Iranian Kabaddi team as bright, Alok Sinha said: “There's great future for the Iranian kabaddi team. The Kababbi league in India has taken off and the few Iranian players who are playing are quite popular. The fact that the team is doing so well in international tournaments is a great sign. For now, it seems India's biggest rival at the international stage is Iran and if there are more series between the two, it could be a big boost for the Iranian kabaddi team.”
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