Sajad Moharabi: I've been a national team member for 11 years, yet I don't even have a gas scooter

Two members of the Iranian national boxing team, who traveled to China for a month outside the federation's programs, cited 'financial difficulties and training facilities' as the reason for their trip. A month ago, the boxing federation announced that Forutan Golara and Sajad Moharabi had taken leave to go to China for training and competition. However, the ISNA news agency reported that these two national champions went to China to participate in 'underground competitions.' The publication of articles regarding the possibility of their not returning led the federation to take a different stance. The IRNA news agency wrote: 'With the delay in their return, controversies began, to the extent that discussions of asylum and fleeing the country arose. The federation's ultimatum to Sajad and Forutan also fueled the rumors.' When they did not return within the specified time, the secretary of the boxing federation stated that Golara and Moharabi had been expelled from the national team and that the federation would replace them with other athletes for the Olympic qualifying competitions. This stance of the federation contradicted the statements of the national team's coach, Estaki, who told ISNA that both boxers were in a difficult financial situation and that the national teams' manager had agreed to their request. 'Our boxers are under severe pressure due to a lack of financial resources. It may not be right to say, but one of these boxers cried when he spoke to me due to financial pressure.' After returning, Forutan Golara denied the rumors, stating that this trip was supposed to last a month from the beginning and that they left for China with permission and coordination. 'How could I be sidelined from the national team when they themselves issued the travel permit?' Golara reminded that they did not leave the country illegally or secretly. 'We returned with a ticket that was purchased from the beginning. However, I received over 400 calls asking about the circumstances of leaving the country. My family's peace has truly been disrupted.' Sajad Moharabi also pointed out that he has been training with the national team for years without pay and competing for free, saying: 'I have been a national team member for 11 years, yet I don't even have a gas scooter, while a 20-year-old Chinese boxer arrived for training in a top-of-the-line car.' In an interview with Iran Sports newspaper, Moharabi cited financial issues and training facilities as the reasons for his presence in China, stating: 'Without a salary in Iran, how do I answer my family? No one pays attention to us. An honest person should come and compare. We even face difficulties in commuting. If we were given half of our opponents' facilities, we would become Olympic champions.' Forutan Golara, a national team member in the 69 kg category, who recently won a gold medal and was named the most technical boxer at the Slovakia tournament, told IRNA: 'I have been a national team member for 14 years and have never slacked off. I have won more than 10 medals in Asian and international competitions.' Ultimately, the boxing federation decided that Sajad Moharabi would participate in the qualifying competitions in the 75 kg category. After winning against Masoud Khazaei and Siavash Omidi's withdrawal, he became the national team representative for the Olympic qualifying competitions. A different decision has been made regarding Forutan Golara, and he has missed out on the qualifying competitions. According to the federation's announcement, if Iran cannot secure a quota in the 60 kg category, Golara will be a candidate for the next Olympic qualifying competitions hosted by Azerbaijan.