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Discovering Iranian basketball with Farid Aslani

Inspired by Tine Ružič of Cedevita Olimpija, we decided to take the time to explore basketball in places that are a complete unknown to most of us. Iran was the place, that was on our radar since several Slovenian basketball players have played there, including Marko Milič, Ivica Jurković and Blaž Mesiček, and coach Memi Bečirović has also left his mark in Iran. Our interviewee was Farid Aslani, a long-time member of the Iranian national basketball team and their player in major competitions.

Hello mr. Farid, thank you for taking your time to answer some questions. Our goal is to introduce Iranian basketball and also yourself to Slovenian basketball fans. Could you please introduce yourself and tell us, why did you choose basketball as your sport? What are some of your biggest accomplishments as a professional basketball player?

My name is Farid Aslani, and I’m a member of the Iranian national basketball team as well as a current player in the Super League. I play the position of point guard. My journey in basketball began when I was just 8 years old. My dad enrolled me in summer classes, where I started as a mini player. Over the years, I’ve advanced my skills with the guidance of exceptional national and international coaches.

I’ve proudly represented my national team for around 12 consecutive years, helping my country win several championships. Throughout various tournaments, I’ve consistently been recognized as a leader in categories like assists and points. Recently, I was honored by FIBA Asia as an outstanding player during the WASL games.

What was the state of basketball, when you first started training and how did the league/clubs/national team develop over the years?

The Iranian national basketball team has performed well over the years and has been undergoing a rejuvenation phase in recent years. Iran is recognized as one of the strongest basketball teams across Asia, with numerous championships in various official games and tournaments.

The leagues are also improving, striving to enhance their quality by attracting foreign players. This approach introduces new methods and skills, which are then integrated into the foundation of our basketball. It’s a way to enrich the sport in Iran and continue developing our national and league teams.

How popular is basketball in Iran? What is the attendance of the games like, are the arenas full? How is Iran popularising basketball?

Basketball is the third or fourth most popular sport in Iran in terms of fan base, but it has a dedicated and passionate following. Gorgan, known as the basketball capital of Iran, has some of the most enthusiastic fans, with its basketball arena often filled to capacity during games. Other cities, such as Abadan, Isfahan, and Tehran, also have substantial fan bases.

In recent years, several television channels have started broadcasting games live, which has significantly boosted basketball’s appeal and helped grow the fan base. This exposure has played a crucial role in making the sport more attractive to a wider audience, encouraging more people to become avid basketball fans.

You told me in our short conversation that you know a few Slovenian players and even a Slovenian coach. Can you tell me what your experiences with them was like? What were the cultural differences that surprised you?

Oh, it was fantastic! Initially, we were concerned that European players might not easily connect with our culture, and we thought our cultural differences would prevent us from becoming friends. However, we quickly discovered that they were incredibly warm and friendly people. Throughout my career, I’ve had many Slovenian friends, teammates, and coaches, and your people are truly wonderful.

One of the first Slovenian coaches I worked with was Mehmet Bečirovič, who coached me in the Mahram team when I was younger. Marko Milič, now very successful, is another cherished friend of mine. And I can’t forget Blaž Mesiček, who was my teammate at the Zob Ahan club last year; he’s an incredible guy and like a brother to me!

Iranians are known for making friends quickly, and wherever you go, you seldom feel like a stranger. Initially, we thought Europeans might not be comfortable with our culture of quick communication. But Iranians are very hospitable, especially to guests, and will invite newcomers to gatherings to ensure they don’t feel lonely.

Would you be able to share an interesting/funny story about them?

One funny story is about Persian food. We’d serve them our special dishes or take them to local restaurants. At first, they were hesitant to try the cuisine, but soon enough, they were asking for recipes! Their favorite was ghormeh sabzi.

Another humorous story involves a cultural practice called ‘nazri,’ which means sharing food for good luck. We cook meals and give them away for free as gifts, sometimes to neighbors or even strangers on the street. Once, an Iranian man brought a plate of ‘nazri’ to my Slovenian friend in Tehran. My friend was confused and called me, saying, ‘Farid! Someone brought me a plate of food, but I didn’t order anything!’ He explained that the man insisted on giving him the food without accepting any payment. I explained the concept of ‘nazri’ to him, that it was a gift and didn’t require payment, but my friend was still adamant about paying for it!

Are there many Iranian basketball players, who play outside Iran?

Yes, many Iranian players have competed in different countries. The most notable among them is Hamed Haddadi, who played in the NBA for several years and is widely regarded as a legend. This year, he is my teammate at the Naft Abadan club.

Are there any challenges for Iranian players who want to play abroad and is Iran scouted enough when it comes to basketball?

Not really, Iranian players face challenges similar to those of other athletes in different countries. If you play well, you’ll stand out and have the opportunity to be noticed and selected. Everything depends on your abilities and effort. The Iranian basketball team participates in various games and tournaments, giving you ample opportunities to showcase your talent.

In your opinion, who do you think are the most talented young players in Iran?

As I mentioned earlier, Iran is in a rejuvenation phase. Our previous golden generation is retiring due to age, while a new wave of talent is emerging to take their place. Many young, talented players are being recognized in the leagues and invited to join the national team. There are numerous promising young athletes gaining valuable experience and stepping up to lead the next generation of Iranian basketball.

One of the standout young talents is Mohammad Amini, who currently plays in Monaco. He has been performing exceptionally well. Mohammad is a highly skilled player with a bright future ahead of him, and I truly admire how he conducts himself in games.

Do you have any further messages to Slovenian basketball fans?

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you and all my Slovenian friends and the people of Slovenia for contributing so many wonderful experiences and memories to my life. I genuinely hope to visit your country and its people someday, and to watch at least one of your basketball games live in your arena.

Conclusion

Sometimes, when we watch Luka Doncic’s antics in the NBA and when we eagerly watch the Euroleague, we forget that basketball is a sport played all over the world. That is why we must not neglect and forget the stories that are happening in parts of the world that we do not pay attention to. I hope that this interview has given you at least a little bit better insight into what is happening in the Iranian basketball world. However, we must not forget that this is one of the stronger national teams in Asia, despite the fact that basketball is not its first sport. They have three gold medals, one silver and one bronze in the FIBA Asia Cup, and they have also made three appearances at the Olympic Games and four at the World Championships.

Once again, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Farid for this interview and for sending me the pictures. I hope he will continue to play basketball for a long time and make the fans happy, especially with his three-point shooting and assists. Furthermore I hope he will fulfil his wish to visit Slovenia and watch one of our games live.

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