Forty-Nine Sports Clubs Closed For Drug-Dealing

Forty-nine bodybuilding facilities were closed down on allegations of illegally distributing drugs across the Iranian capital, announced Hassan Mirza Aqabeyg, the Deputy Minister for Sports and Youth in Tehran in early April.

“Following the surprise inspection of 1,850 sport clubs in Tehran by sporting experts, 49 clubs had to be shut down for illegally selling food supplements and other types of drugs,” Hassan Mirza Aqabeyg told the Iranian Students' News Agency, according to a report published by Azad News Agency on April 5.

“The sport clubs were claiming that the “medication” or drugs would improve the health and fitness of the people visiting sport centers," Aqabeyg said. "But, in reality, we were the ones to improve their health by shutting down the centers.” 

According to Aqabeyg, the government is in the midst of launching an "urgent plan" that will provide “support for sportsmen and women” in the future.

“The plan will be launched in the first and second half of this year in every sports club and sport complex across Tehran,” he added.