By Haleh Yarmohammadi, AUSF Student Media Contributor
25 May 2026
TEHRAN, Iran – After nearly two years of being managed by an acting head, the National University Sports Federation of Iran elected Dr. Reza Nouri as its president — a manager with clear plans aimed at elevating the status of university sports and creating greater opportunities for student talent to be recognized.
Dr. Nouri is a graduate in physical education from the University of Tehran and has a long history in professional sports, ranging from participation in the national youth football team training camp to playing for various clubs across the country. For many years, he has also been active in university sports, holding numerous positions, from overseeing educational affairs at the University of Tehran’s Kish Campus to serving in other senior university management roles.
Today, with this extensive experience, Dr. Nouri has taken charge of the federation and is working to chart a new course for university sports in the country by strengthening sports systems, increasing vitality across universities, and paying special attention to students’ physical and mental health.
“My main goal is for students to be seen and for everyone to have the opportunity to participate and compete in university sports. Our primary plan is to establish intercollegiate leagues for different sports so that every student can engage based on their interests and talents, and universities across the country can become active.” Dr. Nouri said.
With this approach, he aims to reshape university sports into a dynamic, participatory, and energetic environment.
Prioritizing Women’s Athletics
A central focus of the federation’s agenda is the development of women’s university sports. Efforts are being made to promote equal opportunities for female students and increase their participation in national and international competitions.
“Sending teams to international festivals and competitions, purposeful planning, and continuous support for female athletes are among our top priorities in developing university sports,” Dr. Nouri stated. “Through these measures, we are seriously pursuing the growth and visibility of talented female student-athletes.”
From Athlete to Academic: Framing the Vision for Reform
The president of the National University Sports Federation’s passion for sports dates back to childhood, and he has experienced several popular sports disciplines.
“During high school, I first played volleyball, but gradually turned to football, and that path led me toward professional sports,” Dr. Nouri recalled. “I played for various clubs in Tehran for years while continuing my studies in Physical Education at the University of Tehran. I have always wanted to develop sports as a tool for growth, vitality, and students’ well-being.”
After completing his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, he spent years working in university sports and held numerous managerial positions. These executive and managerial experiences, along with a research opportunity at the University of Hamburg, helped shape his scientific and international perspective.
“One of my most important experiences in Hamburg was observing the practical teaching methods and social discipline. Children and students were trained from an early age through precise and organized programs, and all of their daily movements and activities were purposeful and well-managed. This discipline and practical education led to lasting learning and real skill development.”
“There, I saw how education from elementary school to university, combined with careful planning, plays a vital role in personal growth and motivation, and how sports can become part of that process. I want to adapt the structured model I experienced in Hamburg into a localized and practical framework within the University Sports Federation so that discipline, education, and real opportunities can become the driving force behind the growth of Iranian student-athletes.”
Bridging Theory and Practice in Iranian Sports
Through these experiences, he has consistently worked to elevate university sports to a higher level — one that brings energy and motivation to universities, strengthens students’ physical and mental health, and provides opportunities for their talents to be recognized.
“Today, I lead the University Sports Federation and, relying on years of executive sports experience, pursue targeted plans for the development of student sports. In my view, these experiences provided major lessons for developing both sports and university education. With strategic pathways, talents can be developed in the best possible way.”
This disciplined and structured perspective on education is the model Nouri seeks to implement in Iran’s university sports system. He believes that by transferring these experiences and replacing traditional systems with operational planning, it is possible to reduce the gap between theoretical education and athletic skill development in Iranian universities and institutionalize sports as an inseparable part of the student-athlete lifestyle.
