At this meeting Ayatollah Khamenei praised the differently-able athletes
representing Iran at the Asian Para Games 2018 and described them stimulation of
mankind’s hidden potentials. He asserted: That disabled war veterans and
differently-abled athletes play sports represents stimulating hidden potentials
in mankind. All humans have some talents which are sometimes ignored. You have
won medals, and have become champions; so you are manifestations of activating
capacities.
Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that everyone regardless of their age should follow
the disabled athletes for they are epitomes of determination and willpower; he
held: All of us-- regardless of age, but particularly the youth-- should follow
in your footstep. You shined at this field despite physical challenges. That is
why I say achievements by you the disabled war veterans and differently-abled
athletes are worth twice as the championship of those without physical problems.
Your championship represents firm, manifold determination.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution hailed the athletes from among disabled war
veterans and differently-abled individuals in their power to inspire the public
and added: You are doubly influential in inspiring the people to do sports. The
motivation you arouse in them is two-fold.
Ayatollah Khamenei appreciated the display of cultural power by a female athlete
who bore the flag of Iran’s sports caravan to the Asian Para Games while
dressing in Iranian chador and added: Your self confidence in fortifying your
cultural heritage was extremely important. One example of it was that the
Iranian flag was held by a lady in chador. This signifies that you are uniquely
standing against the world’s increased lewdness and indecency. Indeed, by doing
so, you fortified your religion, your national values and notions and your
national clothing—that is chador—in an international arena. This requires
courage and bravery; many of the people are not strong enough to resist in face
of non-stop demands thrusted upon the world by the front of Paganism. I am
cordially grateful to you, ladies; this was a display of cultural power.
The Supreme Leader went on to uphold athletes’ manifestations of their gratitude
towards God for their achievements and held: The problem with rebellious and
perverse humans is that they regard their belongings and achievements as coming
from themselves. They forget the divine compassion and attention. After victory,
you thank God and sometimes you prostrate before him. This signifies that you
consider your victory coming from God. By thanking Him, you indicate you are not
ignorant. This is an important level of thankfulness, and this will bring about
even more success and achievements for more.
Ayatollah Khamenei mentioned that championship sports are a great source of
motivation for the general public to take part in physical activities by stating
that, "Championship sport resemble a summit whose skirts are the general sport
activities [by the public]. Everyone looks up to the summit and is motivated by
it.”
Source:english.khamenei.ir