Iran's youth affairs & sports minister nominated

TEHRAN, June 15 (MNA) -- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday proposed Hamid Sajjadi to Parliament as Iran’s Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Parliament will formally confirm Sajjadi’s portfolio next Tuesday when a vote of confidence will be held.

Sajjadi, who is deputy president of Iran’s Physical Education Organization (PEO) , has took part in Barcelona 1992 Olympic and Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games.

The 42-year-old has participated three times in the Asian Games and he claimed a silver medal in the 3000-meter Steeplechase in 1998 Asian Games held in Bangkok, Thailand.

In January, Iranian Parliament voted for the establishment of the aforementioned ministerial portfolio. Out of 212 parliamentarians, 157 voted in favor, 44 voted against the motion and 11 abstained.

Ahamadinejad wrote a letter to Parliament and enlisted his objections in regard to the establishment of Iran’s Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Ali Saeed Lu, deputy president and head of the Physical Education Organization, was also a candidate for the post.