Ali Larijani, the head of Iran’s parliament, has filed an official complaint with the judiciary against Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s government for failing to establish a ministry of sports.
ISNA quoted a judiciary official confirming receipt of the letter from parliament and promising firm action.
Last December, parliament passed a law for the formation of the 22nd Iranian ministry, the ministry of youth and sports, by the deadline of April 9, 2011. Last week, Larijani sent a letter to Ahmadinejad reminding him of the deadline.
However, the president’s chief of staff, Esfandiar Rahim Mashai, said on Sunday: “The government and the president believe that this issue [the establishment of a sports ministry] is not in the interest of the country’s sports and athletics.”
Parliament responded that when both parliament and the Guardian Council have approved a law, it cannot be delayed by such statements as “it is not in our interest” or “it is not right.”
