TEHRAN (FNA)- Head of the International Polo Federation Richard Thomas Khalil voiced regret over a recent decision by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to register Iran's traditional polo sport game in the name of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and called on UNESCO to reconsider its decision."UNESCO committed a big mistake in this regard," Thomas Khalil said during a visit to Isfahan city in Central Iran.
The head of International Polo Federation said that in his recent letter to UNESCO he has criticized the move and explained that polo was first invented by the Iranians.
"It is regrettable to see the registration of polo in the name of the Republic of Azerbaijan while Iran is the cradle of polo and the Iranians have been playing the game since many centuries ago," he said.
Thomas Khalil said that the case for registration of polo should reopen to register the game in the name of Iran which is the real inventor of the game.
He expressed pleasure with his visit to the historic Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan, and said, "I came to understand the originality of the game in Iran more than ever by visiting the historical monument."
In October 2013, Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization (CHTHO) in a letter to the UNESCO protested at attempt by Azerbaijans Polo Federation to register the ancient Iranian sport game under its name.
Also, the former CHTHO Chief Mohammad Ali Najafi in a letter to the UNESCO asked the world body to reject Azerbaijans claim about the polo.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran strongly requests for the rejection and return of the dossier that Azerbaijan has sent to the UNESCO back to that country , Najafi said.
The CHTHO chief underlined that instead of registering a single country as the origin of a cultural heritage, other countries where the traditional forms of this ancient game originated should work for the registration of a multinational document at the UNESCO.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has always been after the promotion of peace and stability with its neighbors and the successful experience gained in 2009 by registering Norouz (at the UNESCO) during the course of which Iran and Azerbaijan, as well as five other countries had close cooperation for the first multinational registration at UNESCO is a clear example in this field, Najafi said.
Polo is a game in which two teams of players riding on horses try to hit a ball into a goal using long wooden hammers.
By Fars News Agency
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