TEHRAN – Iranian Para archer Zahra Nemati will likely miss the 2024 Paralympic Games, Jalil Koohpayehzadeh, head of Iran's Sports Federation for the Disabled, said on Monday.

Nemati is arguably the most popular and successful female Paralympian to come from Iran. She has won golds at three different editions of the Paralympic Games but will likely not travel to Paris.

“As you know, Zahra Nemati is the most decorated Iran woman Paralympian but he has not yet registered in the Games. Her participation in the upcoming Paralympic Games is not certain yet,” Koohpayehzadeh said in the news conference held in the federation’s headquarters on Monday.

“Nemati is not in her best form and the Iranian people only want her to be champion. I think we should reduce the pressure on the athletes,” he added.

Koohpayehzadeh is hopeful that Iran will finish the 2024 Paralympics among top 10 countries.

“Iran’s delegation finished 11th in the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, winning 10 gold medals, seven silvers and seven bronzes. We will do our best to be among the top 10 teams in the edition,” he stated.

Koohpayehzadeh believes that the Iranian women are capable of stealing the show in the international events, as the sitting volleyball team narrowly missed qualification for the 2024 Paralympic Games.

“Our women’s sitting volleyball team could have secured their spot but lost to Slovenia 3-2 in their last game at the 2024 WPV Sitting Volleyball Final Qualifiers in China. But, in my opinion, women's sports need infrastructure and we will support them in the future because I believe in them and I am sure they are capable of shining in the international events” Koohpayehzadeh concluded.