<P> According to their religious teaching, the Iranian Zoroastrians in their prayers sought first the beauties of heaven and then physical strength and mental power . They believed in a healthy and powerful body . </P> <P> The ancient Iranians attached spiritual meaning to their spoils activities which they modeled on their weapons . Even the Mages (religious sages) while engaging in prayers in their temples held a mace in their hands, not unlike the British bishops who hung swords on their belts...</P> <P> Avesta, the sacred book of the ancient religions of Iran glorifies the champions and sportsmen as much, if not more than saints and men of God . The older generation made arrangements for the ancient narratives and epics to be read to the young either from books or from those who had learned them from their elders . </P> <P> This tradition has survived until today and outlived the rest of ages . Thus, even today, it can be observed that among the tribes and in the tea houses storytelling is practiced with the same enthusiasm as it was in bygone ages . </P>

What kinds of sports are popular in iran who participates and who observes