Dr. Seyed Mojtaba Ghasemi, a veteran of the Iran-Iraq War, in a specialized meeting titled Sports During the Sacred Defense shared his operational memories and emphasized the key role of regular exercise and physical readiness in the success of troops

According to the Public Relations, Ghasemi, who was responsible for military training in the Islamic Revolutionary Committee during the war, narrated his experiences and stressed the importance of physical fitness and organized sports among forces.

He explained that within the military training system, sports was a fundamental class and specialized exercises were tailored to the nature of the duties. From the very start of training, forces engaged in general morning exercises and specific training such as self-defense and bayonet combat skills to prepare for operational activities.

Reflecting on his memories from 1986-87 and troop deployment to the Sanandaj region, he noted that despite challenging geographical conditions, troops gained the necessary capability for complex operations through mountain climbing exercises and physical conditioning. He added that sports and fitness increased the troops' resilience against both natural and operational hardships.

Ghasemi narrated an episode from the Kirkuk power plant operation, describing how forces overcame difficult terrain and minefields due to their high physical readiness. He mentioned being wounded along with comrades during the mission and emphasized that without physical fitness and continuous training, traversing those areas and mission success would not have been possible.

He highlighted that even during rest periods, troops continued their conditioning programs and maintained their physical abilities through regular exercise. This routine not only contributed to operational success but also helped prevent injuries and boosted psychological resilience.

Mentioning several operations, including Karbala-5, Ghasemi stated that sports and physical readiness were the keys to troop success in wartime conditions and helped reduce risks from difficult environments and operational pressures.He concluded by honoring the memory of the martyrs of the Sacred Defense era, underscoring that the development and continuation of physical education and sports programs in military forces remain crucial for improving health, resilience, and overall success.