Dr Seyyed Hamid Sajjadi was speaking as the National Paralympic Committee of Iran hosted the annual day with more than 60,000 people across the country involved.

Sports complexes across Iran opened their doors to allow children to participate in sporting activities, while a special event took place at the 12,000 capacity Azadi indoor Stadium.

The event featured Para sport demonstration events and opportunities for children to try some of the sports for themselves.

Asian Paralympic Committee President Majid Rashed travelled to Tehran for a three-day visit, which coincided with the National Paralympic Day, and was able to witness some of the activities for himself.

"National Paralympic Days are important because they shine a spotlight on the Paralympic Movement, which changes attitudes towards people with disabilities," said Rashed.

"This in turn leads to a more inclusive society where everyone has opportunities to contribute and progress.

"These are the fundamental aims of the whole Paralympic Movement and, within our region, Iran is having great success.

"I’d like to thank everyone at the National Paralympic Committee of Iran for all their hard work in putting on this event.

"It is a very powerful demonstration of the Paralympic spirit in action and will help to grow the movement even further in this country."

International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons also sent a speech by video to mark the day.

"The most important aspect of the event to me is its focus on the families," said Parsons.

"Because the families have the understanding of the potential of the persons with disabilities.

"As a person with disability, you are given the opportunity to study, to work, to practice sports, to be a citizen.

"A person with disability can achieve anything that she or he wants.

"We need to give them the opportunity."

The National Paralympic Day is a key day in the Iranian calendar and is subject to a Presidential order.

Iran has won 160 Paralympic medals in its history, with all of these coming at the summer edition.

Iran has been named as the host of the first ever International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) Winter Games, although dates have yet to be announced.