Dismissal of Polo Federation President Under the Pretext of Private Photo Leak

The Iranian Ministry of Sports and Youth dismissed the president of the Polo Federation, initially appointing Ahmad Gowari and then, a few hours later, Hamira Asadi as the caretaker of the federation. The dismissal of Ms. Golnar Vaqili Gilan was carried out contrary to electoral regulations and without convening an assembly. Ms. Vaqili Gilan herself stated that she has not yet received her dismissal order. She told ISNA news agency that she was pressured to resign. Tasnim news agency cited the acquisition of private photos as the reason for Ms. Vaqili's dismissal. This news agency pointed to the role of the 'godfather and mafia of polo,' writing: 'This individual pressured the federation president to resign with the support of a sports official. They obtained personal and family photos of the federation president and sought their goal through various institutions.' Tasnim's reference is to Hamzeh Ilkhani, the former president of the Polo Federation. The site asked Ms. Vaqili Gilan whether her deteriorating relationship with Ilkhani had influenced her dismissal. She responded: 'If I keep many issues to myself and do not talk about them, it is better. It will become clear in the future.' The high-ranking sports official mentioned is Mohammad Reza Davarzani, the deputy minister of sports. Mr. Davarzani's first significant sports position was the presidency of the Equestrian and Polo Federations at the beginning of the 2000s. He has maintained close relations with Ilkhani since that time. Ms. Vaqili Gilan stated in an interview with ISNA: 'A group does not want polo to develop. I have not been negligent in my work and have worked wholeheartedly to revive polo. There are individuals who want this sport to operate in a familial manner, but I did not allow it.' Meanwhile, Hamira Asadi has become the caretaker of the Polo Federation, having previously been responsible for assembly affairs at the Ministry of Sports, international affairs at the Football Federation, and an advisor to the deputy for sports affairs, and she is a management student. Tasnim published a critical report titled 'Famine of Women,' stating that Asadi, who works as the head of the international committee of the Football Federation, now has to simultaneously serve as the caretaker of the Polo Federation.