Iranian Minister of Sports and Youth Hamid Sajjadi expressed interest in strengthening sports ties with Cuba.

Tehran, May 11 (RHC)-- Iranian Minister of Sports and Youth Hamid Sajjadi expressed interest in strengthening sports ties with Cuba, including a friendly soccer match, according to the official website of the Persian presidency.

Sajjadi's statements came at the end of a meeting with the ambassador of the Caribbean nation, Alberto Gonzalez, in which the Iranian representative revealed the interest in taking advantage of Cuba's sports capabilities.

"We want the Cuban soccer team to play a friendly match with the Iranian national team," Gonzalez bet while praising the establishment of full cooperation in sports with that country.

Meanwhile, the Iranian minister remarked that "Cuba is a pioneer in many fields, including boxing, and Iran is interested in using the capabilities of the Caribbean island."

"We have the capacity to set up sports factories in Cuba or Latin America," said Sajjadi.

The field of youth exchange is another area in which both countries can advance joint cooperation actions, agreed the representatives of both governments.

Humanitarian participation and social activities are some of the topics in which Iranian and Cuban youth can interact, they said during the meeting held the day before.

Cuba is currently facing problems in the development of athletic activities due to the sanctions imposed on the import of sports equipment and is ready to use Iran's experiences and sports products, Gonzalez said.