2024-05-03 03:05:19
“As the months pass, successes increase day by day. April will be remembered for massive sporting achievements and strengthening of infrastructure.”
As reported by İdman.biz, this was noted by the Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gaibov in the traditional column “Minister’s View”.
The head of the department began the story with Ganja.
“Two important events took place for the infrastructure of the second largest city in our country. First, the President of the country, Ilham Aliyev, opened the Ganja Sports Palace, where he got acquainted with the conditions created at the highest level for practicing various disciplines. It is the largest sports center in the Caucasus and the entire region; it has everything necessary for training, competitions and recreation for athletes. I believe that future champions will grow in this complex and local and international competitions will be held. I would like to note that many competitions of the III CIS Games, which will be held in our country next year, will be organized here. In addition, the head of the country also laid the foundation of the Ganja city stadium,” Gaibov emphasized.
He also touched upon international tournaments in Baku.
“It has become a tradition for the capital to host international competitions. The Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup, where 116 gymnasts from 41 countries competed in Baku, was organized at a high level. At the event, held at the National Gymnastics Arena, the federation’s new mascots – an elegant gazelle and a brave fox – were presented to the public. Another international competition, the Olympic qualifying tournament in wrestling, was also organized at the MGA at a high level.
In the European Olympic qualifying tournament, 5 of our freestyle wrestlers – Aliabbas Rzazade (57 kg), Haji Aliyev (65 kg), Turan Bayramov (74 kg), Osman Nurmagomedov (86 kg) and Georgiy Meshvildishvili (125 kg) won the right to go to the French capital. For the first time in history, we will be represented at the Olympics in team sports. This joy was brought to us by the Azerbaijani women’s 3×3 basketball team, which won a licensed tournament organized in Hong Kong. We received another license for the Summer Olympic Games in Paris in rowing. Our athlete Diana Dymchenko secured a license for the Olympics by taking second place in the competition. The last time Azerbaijan was represented in rowing was at the Summer Olympic Games held in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). By the first day of May, our athletes increased the number of licenses to 18. Congratulations to the canoeing, rowing, basketball and wrestling federations for obtaining new licenses. We believe that the number of licenses that will be won in the next two months will be greater,” the minister emphasized.
He also said that April was marked by many premieres and new records.
“Hidayat Heydarov set a new record in Azerbaijani judo, winning the European champion title for the 4th time. And Eldzhan Hajiyev won the gold medal of the continental championship for the first time in the 90 kg weight category. Ulviya Fatalieva went down in history as the first Azerbaijani chess player to win the title of European champion. Our acrobatic team won the title of European champion. For the first time in the history of artistic gymnastics, we won a medal at the European Championships. Nikita Simonov achieved such success, winning silver in the rings. Our team of junior trampolineists also successfully performed in synchronized jumping at the EURO and this was the first European medal for our country won by girls trampolineists. Our acrobatic team also won its first gold medal at the European Championships in the team competition,” the minister emphasized.
He also touched upon the friendly match between the amateur hockey teams “Baku Flames” and “Ice Brotherhood”.
“I would like to note that the skating rink, which was put into operation in May last year, has become one of the most popular sports centers in a short period of time. People of all ages come here every day to skate. Currently, the skating rink has sections for hockey, figure skating and other winter sports. A curling section will open here in the near future. I believe that every year these sports will become more and more popular in our country,” noted F. Gaibov.
He added that the tradition of meetings with Azerbaijani athletes and their coaches, who successfully represented the country at continental and world championships and prestigious international competitions, continued.
“We listened to the athletes and together analyzed their successes. At the next reporting elections of the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), President of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) Rovshan Najaf was elected as the new head of the organization, and Rashad Rasullu became the new executive vice-president of the country’s Judo Federation. I wish success to both federations in their future activities.”
Gaibov also said that Baku is a contender for the title of “Sports Capital” of the world in 2026:
“Our city has already been nominated, and last month representatives of the World Sports Capital Award (ACES) evaluation commission visited Baku. They became interested in the activities of a number of sports facilities and took part in the presentation. I had a meeting with representatives of the commission. We talked with them about the work done in the field of sports in our country, the successes achieved, and discussed the sports potential of Baku.”
He said that our team in Paris will have a responsible and productive two months ahead:
“The consistent successes achieved by Azerbaijani athletes in the first 4 months of the year encourage us to be more optimistic about the future. I believe that our athletes will continue the Olympic year with victories and will hold our flag high.”
İdman.biz