Ali Kaffashian has declared that his administration top priority for the coming year is the qualification of Iran’s U-23 team to the Rio de Janeiro Olympics Games 2016.

Kaffashian was speaking after the conclusion of the Iran Olympic Committee IOC meetings where all the sport federation presented their plans and balance sheets to the head of the Olympic Committee.

  “We have an extensive program for the Olympic Football team and have been actively preparing the squad and financially supporting the team to achieve our goal of qualification to Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games. The team has a very competent and experiences technical cadre (…) and headed by an experienced manager in Habib Kashani.” Kaffashian claimed.

Asked by reporters to evaluate the FFIRI achievements in the last 12 months, Kaffashian said “ We had a busy year but also a successful year. The FIFA World Cup, AFC Asian Cup, Asian Games, Beach Games were all the tournaments that we took part in. We also had futsal tournament.  In the Omid level ( Iran U-23) the results were disappointing and weak. However at the Team Melli level in the World Cup and Asian cup although we did not achieve anything, and the results were not perfect, but it can be said that our overall grade were moderate success. The women team results in the past year was great. The Age level teams and youth teams qualified from their groups, while the Omid Team is preparing for the Olympics qualifiers. We also hope that National Beach soccer team can qualify for the Beach Soccer World Cup.”

Kaffashian dogged the question on the timing of the upcoming  FFIRI General Assembly, giving the reporters the usual run around without mentioning a specific date.

Asked whether Japan FA has contacted Carlos Queiroz to offer him a job, Kaffashian denied such contacts and insisted that Queiroz is bound by a contract and will remain at his job in Team Melli. When a reporter questioned Kaffashian whether he was in actual  contact with Queiroz to discuss this issue, Kaffashian responded that he did not make any specific contacts with Queiroz except for the odd email exchanges!