Baku: "As a result of the successful sports policy pursued by President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan has achieved not only outstanding sporting results and the widespread development of sports, but also significant success as a host of prestigious international competitions. Today, the country boasts extensive experience in organizing major sporting events," said Azerbaijan's Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov in an exclusive interview with AZERTAC.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Minister Gayibov noted that hosting events such as the 1st European Games, the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games, the 15th European Youth Summer Olympic Festival, and the 3rd CIS Games has provided Azerbaijan with substantial organizational experience over the years. He stated that Azerbaijan has developed a strong pool of professional specialists capable of organizing international competitions at the highest level.
"During the first European Games, we invited specialists from abroad. Today, however, our own specialists are involved in organizing international competitions in other countries. This is a valuable legacy of the major sporting events we have previously hosted," he said.
Farid Gayibov emphasized that Azerbaijan has established a modern sports infrastructure and earned the confidence of the international sporting community to host the world's most prestigious competitions.
"In just the first six months of this year, Azerbaijan hosted World Cup events in various gymnastics disciplines, the European Billiards Championship, professional boxing tournaments, rowing and canoeing competitions in Garabagh, cycling events, as well as international tournaments in chess, golf, and other sports. Currently, the U17 World Wrestling Championships are underway in Baku. By the end of the year, Azerbaijan will also host the European Women's Volleyball Championship, various basketball competitions, the World Championships in judo and sambo, the Swimming World Cup-the first in the history of Azerbaijani sports-as well as the international IRONMAN 70.3 BAKU triathlon."