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Faig Garayev: Future of Azeri volleyball depends on formation of new clubs

19 March 2007 15:41 (UTC +04:00)

Azerbaijani volleyball team and Azerreyl club head coach Faig Garayev interviewed by the APA-Sport

- Azeri leader playersâ€™ rent to European clubs is one of main topics of discussion lately. Will this step have any positive effects to the volleyball in Azerbaijan?
- Some fans and journalists are uneasy after the players have been rented. I meet it normally because volleyball is very popular in Azerbaijan. But I think there is no need to be disappointed. Azerbaijani volleyball has already taken its worthy place in the world. We have competed in European and world championships, as well as world Grand-Prix tournaments which shows the level of our team. This is the achievement of hard work for years. I reject the thoughts that our volleyball has become in a difficult condition. These events need to be accepted normal after the team has lost leading players as Inessa Gorkhmaz, Yelena Shabovta and Alla Hesenova. Shabovta and Hesenova spent 17 years with me to develop Azeri volleyball. They are very serious losses. Kseniya Kavalenka and Oksana Mammedova are going to be mothers. We should aid them as much as we can. So Azerreyl will not have these best five players. I had an idea to rent other four players very long time ago. They will play in qualified European clubs and gain experience. I donâ€™t see anything negative or tragedy here. Instead, Azerbaijani volleyball will benefit from a two-three-month rent of Natalya Memmedova, Yelena Parkhomenko, Oksana Guliyeva and Valeriya Korotenko. This is for sure. It is not expedient to keep them in Azerreyl, because they will only train here.
- Do you plan to strengthen Azerreyl with legionaries?
- No, I donâ€™t, because it contradicts our policy. Federation aims to make the volleyball more popular in Azerbaijan. We should try and train own players. The future of Azerbaijani voleyball is on the hands of local players. I also can to pick a few legionaries and gain achievements as European clubs. But then what? The achievement will be temporary. When the legionary leaves the club, we will have the same problem again. The main objective is not to develop Azerreyl only. We should also think about the national team. The federation works on the issue right now. We have organized Spring cup tournament for women in order to choose perspective players and include them in the junior team. We are going to test them in several international tournaments in the future. We also have talented young players who need practice. We have selected some players and taken them to Baku.
- As a matter of fact, we have no professional clubs except Azerreyl. Will there be improvements on this issue?
- I am head coach and president of Azerreyl. Main issues in the federation are also under my control. But it doesnâ€™t let me form other clubs, because a person of financial support should deal with it. I shouldnâ€™t form a club. Best Azeri trainers work in Azerreyl and they are ready to work with those who create new teams. But there is nobody to deal with the issue. I want the readers to be aware of this problem. But some reporters write provocative articles. It is hard for me to understand what these people serve for. Turkey transferred Naim Suleymanoglu by $1mln. But some reporters seek for â€œbutâ€? in the transfer of Mammedova. She reached the level of world player in Azerreyl. Now she represents Azerbaijan in the international tournaments. We should be proud of her. Influential figures should form volleyball clubs. Most clubs in Turkey are financed by banks. Why not to implement it in Azerbaijan? The future of Azeri volleyball depends on the formation of new clubs. Everyone demands achievements. But I am not a sorcerer, but an ordinary man. I donâ€™t like such talks. People should express their opinion after taking into account the reality.
- Donâ€™t you think the solution of this problem depends on the adoption of State program?
- It is absolutely true. Youth and Sports Ministry had a decision on the issue. First of all, new clubs should be formed. Then it is worth considering the adoption of a State program. I think we will realize the process in near future. There used to be sport schools. But now there is not any. If new clubs are formed, we will raise the issue of establishment of child and junior teams attached to them. This process should also be implemented in the regions as well.
- How long do we have to wait to see Azerreylâ€™s further achievements?
- Azerreyl has made fans happy since the day of its formation. It will be continued. The fans will see our victories over best European clubs in Baku. I understand those who always expect victories. They are used to it. Thatâ€™s why everyone wants victory no matter what is the rival. Azerreyl struggles against European great teams owning 10mln budget. Everyone should understand this reality. Besides, Azerreyl fights not with legionaries but local players. I donâ€™t see serious reason to be upset. Great victories of Azerreyl are in future. I have promised that decisive matches of Champions League will be held in Baku and we will be winners in this tournament. I will keep my word. I came from Turkey at the invitation of Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev. I love my country. It is my duty to raise Azerbaijani flag in worthy tournaments. If I didnâ€™t love my country, I would have accepted the invitation of foreign countries. But there are such spiritual values that... I donâ€™t see need to talk about it.
- How real, you think, is our chance to pass to the Beijing Olympic Games?
- This is the main target of the team right now. The team will try its best to hit the target, though it is very difficult to pass to the Olympic Games. First of all, we need to gain achievement in European championship. Before it, the team will join several international tournaments.
- Will veteran players also join these competitions?
- I cannot say anything precise. Shabova plays in Turkish and Gorkhmaz in Italian championship. Much depends on their preparation. We will talk to both players when it is time. /APA-Sport/