Social

Home page

Social

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev: "2011 will be a year of very significant achievements in sports"

28 December 2010 00:11 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. The National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Azerbaijan yesterday summed up the year 2010, and sportsmen and trainers were presented awards, APA reports quoting â€œAzerTacâ€ news agency.

President of the Azerbaijan Republic and president of the National Olympic Committee Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva attended the ceremony on the occasion.

The President delivered an extended speech in the event.

"The development of sport in Azerbaijan - it is a reality, and our successes are growing year by year. This confirms that our successes are not accidental, we can talk about these successes thanks to purposeful, deliberate policies and joint activities of all entities being in charge of sports."

The President said that Azerbaijan is known worldwide as a sporting power:
"Azerbaijan is actively involved in the international Olympic movement and our country is highly respected. Holding of the international competitions in our country has become commonplace. In the course of year, Baku repeatedly holds the world, European championships as well as other international competitions, available venues and facilities create excellent conditions for organizing these events at a high level. In 2010, along with these successes, important steps were traditionally taken to strengthen the material-technical base of sport: "This year, four modern Olympic sports complexes were put in commission in cities Goychay, Agdash Balakan and Goradiz cities. In 2011, the building and assembly works will continue. Construction of 11 Olympic centers is provided for. Some of them will be opened the next year. This program is consistently carried out."

Touching upon the prospects of the development of sport in the country the president said:
"I am confident that 2011 will be successful for continuation of these remarkable events, including in the field of sports. 2011 will be crucial to prepare for the summer Olympic Games of 2012. Numerous licensed tournaments will be held and this is the last year in preparation for the Olympics. Of course, we must consider this factor. In 2011, we must further intensify our efforts. 2011 will be very significant in this area, as the foundation laying of the new grand, beautiful Olympic stadium will take place next year in Baku. The project is ready, and the place for the stadium is allocated. I think, for Baku, the capital of such sporting states like Azerbaijan, it is necessary to build a new Olympic stadium, which has the most advanced technological capabilities."