Editing Iranian paintball (section)

== History ==

=== Introduction of paintball (2002–2005) ===

Paintball was introduced commercially to Iran during the early 2000s.

One of the earliest documented operators was '''Hamid Nikpour''', an Iranian entrepreneur who had lived in Canada. Nikpour imported paintball equipment and established a playing facility in Tehran in 2002.

Contemporary reporting by Agence France-Presse and ''The Christian Science Monitor'' described the opening of the Matrix paintball centre, located in a converted covered parking facility in Tehran.

The facility covered approximately 2,600 square metres and featured artificial terrain, buildings and other obstacles. Its equipment reportedly included 120 paintball markers imported from Canada.[1][5]

The importation of paintball markers required approval from Iranian authorities, who examined the equipment before allowing its use.

Nikpour also discussed the development of organised teams capable of competing internationally.[1]

Women's participation was documented within the following years. In October 2005, ''Iranian.com'' published a photographic feature showing a women's paintball team in Iran.[6]

=== Development of tournament paintball (2006–2011) ===

Iranian tournament paintball developed rapidly during the mid-2000s, with teams participating in domestic competitions and international events.

The Tehran-based team [[Datis]] became a prominent representative of Iranian paintball internationally.

At the 2006 [[World Cup Asia]], held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Datis won the Division 1 championship and secured the overall [[Paintball Asia League Series]] season title.[7]

Datis repeated its PALS overall championship success in 2007 and reached the World Cup Asia Division 1 final that year, losing to South Africa's Reaper.[3]

Domestic competition also developed through the Iran Paintball League.

In March 2010, ''ProPaintball.com'' reported that Datis had completed an undefeated four-event domestic season, defeating Persian Legend in the final tournament.

The report included an interview with Iranian player Aco Amir, who discussed the country's tournament structure, competitive development and participation in overseas events.[8]

=== International success (2010–2013) ===

Iranian teams achieved several major results in Asian competition during the early 2010s.

At the 2010 World Cup Asia in Kuala Lumpur, Datis won the Division 1 championship, defeating international opposition including teams from France, Australia and Malaysia.

Another Iranian team, '''Joubin''', finished second in Division 3 at the same tournament.[4]

Datis successfully defended its World Cup Asia Division 1 title in 2011 at Langkawi, Malaysia.

Led by Babak Datis Esmaily, the team defeated South Africa's Reaper 4–1 in the final. The victory earned Datis the championship trophy and US$50,000 in prize money.[9]

Iranian success extended to the lower divisions. '''Diako''' won the Division 3 championship at the 2011 World Cup Asia.[10]

Datis also represented Iran in the 2011 Intercontinental Cup, held alongside World Cup Asia, finishing third behind France's TonTon and the American Ironmen.[10]

Iranian teams continued participating in PALS events in subsequent years, including tournaments in Malaysia and Thailand.[11]

=== Domestic competition and PALM (2010s–2020s) ===

Iranian tournament competition developed through multiple leagues and event organisations.

The [[Paintball League Middle East]] (PALM) operated tournaments in Iran during the 2010s. The competition was separate from the Paintball Asia League Series, despite the similarity in their acronyms.

PALM maintained an Iranian event programme, including competitions during 2016, 2017 and 2018.[12]

In October 2017, [[Planet Eclipse]] reported that Tehran Datis had won a Division 1 PALM tournament, while Shemiranat Datis finished second in Division 2.[13]

The national tournament scene continued into the 2020s.

Iranian league records for 2025 documented men's premier, men's second-division and women's competitions. Participating organisations included Datis Tehran, Phoenix, Espad, Persian Gulf and Singo, alongside other teams.[14]