Middle East (SAT7/MNN) — Interest in sports if universal. That’s why SAT-7, a Christian satellite television ministry to the Middle East and North Africa, is launching a new show called Today with Sports. It’s the first program of its kind to air on the channel.
SAT-7 is targeting younger generations that speak Farsi. More than half the population in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan is under the age of 25.
The program’s focus will be on health, not just physically, but also spiritually.
Each program will be presented and produced by Nader Tagizadeh, who has been an athlete since age 16. He’s been involved in martial arts and body building. In the future, Tagizadeh hopes to take a step back, working behind the camera and letting a professional fitness expert be the presenter.
(Photo courtesy SAT-7)
Each week, a different sport will be featured on the program. These could range anywhere from soccer and basketball to martial arts and water polo. Tagizadeh will provide background information on the sport by telling the audience about its history. He will also visit sports facilities to interview athletes and coaches.
SAT-7 hopes the interviews will encourage others to be more active.
There are numerous incentives for playing sports, such as getting people to work as a team, being social, fit, healthy and growing in confidence.
Millions of Iranian kids have started self-medicating because of painful home environments, crushing financial pressures, and political restrictions. SAT-7 wants to focus on how the physical demand of a sport can discourage athletes from destructive behavior. Instead of hurting themselves further, kids can look to their sports heroes and see sports as a healthy way to express themselves and vent their frustrations.
Beyond physical well-being, SAT-7 wants children to be spiritually healthy. Tagizadeh said the Bible describes the human body as God’s temple, so they must take care of it completely. “You have to take care of your soul as well. How can you take care of your soul? Go and read the Bible.”
Today with Sports hopes to inspire kids all across the Middle East to make wise choices both physically and spirtitually.
You can donate to the program by clicking here.
