President Aliyev and First Lady open National Gymnastics Arena
By Nazrin Gadimova
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva attended the opening ceremony of the National Gymnastics Arena (NGA) on April 16.
The presidential couple cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the Arena.
Informing the Head of State and the First Lady on the work carried out at the National Gymnastics Arena, Youth and Sports Minister Azad Rahimov said the facade of the complex has a special appearance, as it contains screens displaying interesting illuminative elements.
One of the most important features that increase the importance of the arena, which is mainly intended for gymnastics competitions, is the fact that it can be adapted for other sporting events and competitions, the minister said.
Rahimov also said depending on the scale of a competition, the number of seats in the arena can be increased from 5,000 to 10,000, adding that the complex, built in accordance with international standards, has a press center, a first aid station, a dance hall and a gym, doping control rooms, offices, shops, cafes and ancillary facilities.
The sports facility, which is expected to become one of the best gymnastic centers in Europe, also has a hotel, according to the minister.
President Aliyev and Mehriban Aliyeva then watched the training of gymnasts.
Azerbaijan's President was presented with a copy of "The International Sports Press Association - History of AIPS" book marking the 90th anniversary of the organization.
Earlier, President of the European Gymnastics Union (UEG) Georges Guelzec praised the conditions created in the arena, noting the hall is fitted with the latest gymnastic equipment, which is installed in accordance with the recommendations of the European UEG and Azerbaijan's Gymnastics Federation (AGF).
Designed to host rhythmic and artistic gymnastics competitions, the National Gymnastics Arena (NGA) will be able to host gymnasts' training for international tournaments. The arena facilities include two main concourse levels with welfare facilities and food and beverage outlets; above them on the upper level of the arena there are the box level, which will host VIPs. There are also a large area for a two-storey restaurant with viewing capacity onto the arena floor.
There are all the requirements for international media and sponsors expected of today's world class sporting venues to host international competitions-- from interview rooms and media control center and sponsor rooms to press rooms. Within the 24,000 sq. m. of surrounding landscape designed to complement the arena an underground car park capable of parking at least 300 vehicles is available.
A grandiose event, the 30th European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships will be held in Azerbaijan on June 13-15. Some 33 countries have already made bids for participation in this great event. The participants and guests will be accommodated in the future Olympic Village built for the first European Games 2015, to be held in Baku.
AGF presented an official website and promotional video of the European Championships on April 5. The ticket sales for the upcoming European Championship in Baku will begin on April 20, and will be available at the National Gymnastics Arena, around the city, as well as on the tournament's website.
The creation and development of gymnastics in Azerbaijan dates back to the 1940s. As a result of this sport's popularization for a very short period, Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation was created in 1956.
After Azerbaijan gained independence in 1991, the National Federation of Gymnastics became a member of the International Gymnastics Federation in 1993, and the European Union of Gymnastics in 1996.
There are currently four kinds of sports in the federation: rhythmic gymnastics, men's gymnastics, acrobatic gymnastics, and tumbling.