Editing Iranian paintball (section)

=== Early commercial paintball ===

Contemporary reports published in October and November 2002 document the introduction of commercial paintball in Tehran by Hamid Nikpour, an Iranian entrepreneur who had lived in Canada.[1][2]

An Agence France-Presse report published on 25 October described a covered playing area of approximately 2,600 square metres and an announced opening that Sunday. Nikpour said that the imported markers had been examined and approved by the Ministry of Defence.[1]

In November, ''The Christian Science Monitor'' reported on play at the newly opened Matrix complex. Located in a converted covered parking facility, it contained sand, buildings, caves and a stream, with 120 markers available.[2]

These reports establish commercial activity in 2002; they do not identify a national championship held that year.[1][2]