Tehran, Iran, June 21, 2020: Iran is aiming for a top-four finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in men’s volleyball according to Mohammadreza Davarzani, head of the Iran Volleyball Federation.
Davarzani, who has returned to the helm of the Iran Volleyball Federation after three years, said the bar has been raised after the country made history at the 2016 Rio Olympics by finishing for the first time as the top-ranked Asian team, and in fifth place.
“We are looking for a place among the top four teams in the Olympic Games, that’s why I am here. Iran qualified for the Olympic Games after 52 years in 2016 and we finished in fifth place under the leadership of Raul Lozano. After Rio, we came to a conclusion that our new purpose is to move up in the world rankings,” Davarzani said in an interview with Mehr news agency.
Iran is looking for a new national coach after parting company with Montenegrin coach Igor Kolakovic in March. Under Kolakovic, Iran were crowned champions at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, and won the 2019 Asian Championship.
“We are weighing up how to find the best coach for the national team because the new head coach should know our volleyball. If we want to appoint a foreign trainer, he will surely be a top-level coach,” Davarzani stated.