Women’s Sports Innovation Event Highlights the Role of Entrepreneurship in Industry Growth

The first national event supporting innovative projects and ideas in women’s sports took place today, January 25, 2024 (5 Dey 1402), at Eivan-e Shams, Tehran, bringing together government officials, industry leaders, and academics. At the event, Dr. Fakhralsadat Nasiri, Advisor on Women and Family Affairs at the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology, emphasized the critical role of entrepreneurship in driving economic growth and development. She noted that while entrepreneurship has long been recognized as an economic engine, its expansion into the sports sector represents a modern economic transformation. The Growing Intersection of Sports and Industry Dr. Nasiri highlighted sports’ multifaceted benefits, including teamwork, social well-being, cultural promotion, and effective use of leisure time. However, she stressed that its most significant impact lies in physical and mental health. Given these advantages, the emergence of the sports industry has sparked expectations for wealth creation, job opportunities, and technological advancement. She underscored the need to identify key drivers of the sports industry’s development, emphasizing strategic planning, targeted investment, and comprehensive support. Women and girls, she noted, represent one of the most valuable and untapped resources in this sector, striving to contribute while maintaining their unique social roles and status. Women’s Health and Sports: A Societal Imperative Dr. Nasiri stressed that women’s engagement in sports directly impacts societal well-being, given their multifaceted roles as mothers, wives, daughters, citizens, and professionals. Their participation fosters a culture of physical, mental, and emotional health at both family and community levels. Recognizing and supporting women’s involvement in sports is therefore essential. Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in Sports To promote women’s entrepreneurship in sports, the National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Headquarters for Women’s Sports was established, supporting female students, graduates, faculty members, and employees interested in sports-related innovation and business development. A key outcome of this initiative was the First National Women’s Sports Innovation and Entrepreneurship Event, which aimed to identify, support, and commercialize innovative, practical solutions in women’s sports. Event Highlights and Key Participants The event was jointly organized by: • The National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Headquarters for Women’s Sports • The Vice Presidency for Women and Family Affairs Notable attendees included: • Dr. Ensieh Khazali, Vice President for Women and Family Affairs • Dr. Sajad Mohammad Ali-Nejad, Deputy Minister of Science, Research, and Technology for Innovation and Technology • Dr. Zahra Salman, Head of the National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Headquarters for Women’s Sports and President of the Institute of Physical Education and Sports Science • Dr. Fakhralsadat Nasiri, Advisor on Women and Family Affairs at the Ministry of Science • Dr. Maryam Kazemipour, Deputy Minister for Women’s Sports Development at the Ministry of Sports and Youth • Dr. Zohreh Jafari, Director General of Women and Family Affairs at the Tehran Governor’s Office • Dr. Neda Boroushak, Secretary of the National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Headquarters This event marks a significant step toward integrating women’s entrepreneurship with the sports industry, paving the way for new opportunities, innovation, and economic growth in women’s sports.