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President Ilham Aliyev receives athletes who won medals at 3rd Islamic Solidarity Games, as well as their coaches and sport experts

04 October 2013 16:56 (UTC +04:00)

The President congratulated the sportsmen on their achievements, which included a total of 24 medals, six of them gold.

“This triumph proves that Azerbaijan is a sport country. All sport organizations in Azerbaijan serve one goal – to increase the country`s successes.”

President Ilham Aliyev said Azerbaijan was contributing to strengthening Islamic solidarity in the world.

“In 2009, Baku was the capital of Islamic culture, and in 2018, this mission will be fulfilled by Nakhchivan.”

The Head of State noted the success of Azerbaijani athletes at the Islamic Solidarity Games was no coincidence, adding “we claimed a total of 10 medals at the London Olympic Games last year, and grabbed 16 medals at the Universiade in Kazan this year”.

“What lies behind these victories is a well-considered policy. It`s no coincidence that conditions created for sportsmen are being improved in the country. There are 40 Olympic centers in Azerbaijan.”

The President said Azerbaijan had successfully hosted a number of high-profile international tournaments. He highlighted preparation to the inaugural European Olympic Games to be held in Baku in 2015. The Head of State said that in 2017 Baku would host the next Islamic Solidarity Games.

The President said the government of Azerbaijan would continue supporting development of sport in the country.

President of the National Karate Federation Yashar Bashirov said Azerbaijani karate fighters put up successful performance at the Islamic Solidarity Games.

Gold medal winner Aykhan Mamayev said the Islamic Solidarity games were a success for Azerbaijani sportsmen.

Coach of the national taekwondo team Gunduz Abdullayev said the team claimed four medals at the Games.

Vice-President of the National Olympic Committee Chingiz Huseynzade spoke of the Day of Azerbaijan, which was organized in Palembang by “Baku 2017” Organizing Committee in connection with the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games to be held in the Azerbaijani capital in 2017.

President Ilham Aliyev made closing remarks, saying “sport in Azerbaijan has never been so powerful”.

“Azerbaijan managed to rank 30th among 200 counties in the Olympic rankings,” the President said.