According to the Communication and Information Center in the Vice Presidency of Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy, the opening ceremony of the country's first Artificial Intelligence, Metaverse and Blockchain Sports Innovation and Acceleration Center (HEMATA) was held today, in the presence of the Vice President of Science and the Minister of Sports and Youth at the Energy Science and Technology Research Institute.

This specialized artificial intelligence center was established to achieve the technological goals of the country's sports and respond to the needs of this field with the support of the Ministry of Sports and Youth and the Vice President of Science and Technology.

Afshin said in a speech at the ceremony: "The realization of these events in the field of sports is primarily due to the vision and pursuits of Dr. Donyamali, and today, with the opening of this innovation center, the connection between technology and sports is established. This center is intended to identify issues during boot camps and events and employ scientific teams to solve problems in the field of sports.

He continued: "Fortunately, we are not far behind the world in the field of artificial intelligence applications and we can bring ourselves to the top ranks of the world. It is predicted that by 2030, the discussion of artificial intelligence in the country's sports industry will be worth $ 20 billion, and almost all sports and championships will use data science and artificial intelligence in the near future."

According to the official, data science in the sports industry is a strategic area where knowledge is transformed into value. Afshin also focused on how artificial intelligence is applied in the sports industry and stated: The type of design of the soccer ball will affect the player's performance; that is why in big events like the World Cup, the players are given the designed ball before the start of the games so that they can adjust to it in a short time. However, using artificial intelligence, a lot of aerodynamic work can be done in the design of the soccer ball and simulate the ball for the players and show them what angle and cut they will receive by hitting which part of the ball. Aerodynamic work can also be implemented on the helmets of athletes in swimming and equestrian sports, etc.

Stating that data is of great importance in the field of sports today, as in other fields, the Vice President of Science emphasized: "By using data, we can personalize sports and exercise and design specific exercises for the athlete depending on his or her body type, and this is extracted from the individual's performance during exercise."

According to him, the data collected from the players will be used in training, individual and group analysis, refereeing, talent search, etc. Afshin also announced the launch of the second innovation zone in the field of sports at the beginning of next year and said: We will soon open the second innovation zone in the field of sports in the Azadi complex with the help of Dr. Donyamali in early 2025, and we have also ordered its equipment. In this center, data collection will take place in the wrestling federation, we are ready to do this in the offices for the Vice Presidency of Science in all federations. Because sports are one of those turning points where success can be honorable and joyful for the whole society.

He continued: "All technical universities in the country are working to support the teams. First of all, the literature of the two fields of sports and technology must be unified so that knowledge and data science can help sports." According to him, the Vice Presidency of Science is focused on the field of sports, and we are looking to multiply successful examples in sports. We have considered wrestling as a successful example because it is one of the proud sports of the country, and secondly, because all people have a special interest in this field.

The Vice President of Science stated that the center will use measuring devices and data collection from athletes, and added: "The preparations for the work are almost ready, and the Vice Presidency of Science is ready to establish a connection between the fields of science and technology and sports for all federations in Olympic and Paralympic discussions." Afshin also told reporters: "From the beginning, the concern of the Ministry of Sports and Youth was to be able to use new sciences and technologies in the fields of championships and sports. Therefore, since the beginning of the 14th government, meetings have been held and the serious introduction of data science and knowledge in the field of sports has been put on the agenda."

He continued: "The prerequisite for the serious entry of data science and knowledge into the field of sports was the realization of a series of successful examples, and we started this by strengthening innovation centers and growth centers so that we could establish a connection between technical and academic centers and the field of sports. The second part was to provide equipment through which we could obtain data, because first we must achieve business intelligence so that we can then use artificial intelligence based on that business intelligence. We are trying to apply this idea in different federations. Currently, our focus is on the wrestling federation, and then we are ready to move forward with work for another federation, such as the weightlifting federation."

It is worth noting that seven innovative and technological sports projects, two startup events, and a book on the future of sports technologies were unveiled at this ceremony.