President Aliyev says Islamic Solidarity Games important for Islamic world, globe
By Nigar Orujova
Baku has hosted the first meeting of the Organizing Committee of the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games, which will be held in Azerbaijan in 2017.
The meeting was held under the chairmanship of President Ilham Aliyev on September 23.
President Aliyev stressed that the fourth Islamic Solidarity Games would be important for both the Islamic world and the entire globe.
The Islamic Solidarity Games will once again present Azerbaijan to the world as a country with a great reputation, he said, noting that the country will do its best to host this competition at the highest level.
The head of state noted that the Organizing Committee was established recently and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva was appointed its chair. Aliyeva has already successfully headed the organizing committees of two other important events – the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012 and the Baku 2015 European Games.
“Azerbaijan has shown the whole world that our country is experiencing a period of rapid development,” said President Aliyev.
Recalling the slander campaign waged against the country before the Games, the president noted that these efforts were in vain, as visitors saw with their own eyes the reality that Baku, a center of multiculturalism, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, that the volunteers are proud of their homeland, and bore witness to the professionalism of the Azerbaijani athletes.
President Aliyev said that Azerbaijan is a rapidly developing country with an independent foreign policy, and noted that such holidays will be held more frequently in the future.
The fact that Azerbaijan will hold prestigious competitions like the Formula 1 race and the World Chess Olympiad will do even more to promote the country to the world, the president believes.
Organizing Committee Chairman Mehriban Aliyeva expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for the confidence.
She expressed certainty that the Islamic Solidarity Games will meet the highest international standards and evoke the confidence of the Azerbaijani people.
Aliyeva added that events conducted to date in Azerbaijan have demonstrated the organizing ability of the country, and underlined that the Islamic Solidarity Games will enter into Azerbaijani history as another victory.
The first lady noted that the great experience from hosting the first European Games will be used during this Games.
The head of the committee briefed participants of the initial preparatory work required to host the Islamic Solidarity Games, which was approved for Baku at the 8th General Assembly of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation in Jeddah in July 2013.
She said that the athletes taking part in the Games would be accommodated in the Athletes Village, while journalists will be given accommodations at the Media Village. Aliyeva noted the importance of PR and informational support for the event, and mentioned that the website of the Islamic Games is under construction.
Ideas for the opening and closing ceremonies are yet another challenge, she added.
Mehriban Aliyeva also said that negotiations are underway with relevant organizations for the right to broadcast, while the number of hotels to accommodate guests and athletes who will arrive for the Games was confirmed and that there are no other problems in this regard.
The Games will bring together about 10,000 volunteers, which is of great importance, she stressed.
The committee head noted that a broad plan of measures is being prepared for the competition and will be presented soon.
The event was also discussed by Azad Rahimov, the Minister of Youth and Sport, who is also a member of the Organizing Committee of the Games.
He also noted that the first European Games were conducted successfully and that Azerbaijani has all the necessary capabilities to ensure that the IV Islamic Solidarity Games will also be organized in accordance with international standards.
Summing up the meeting, President Aliyev expressed confidence that all the problems of the Organizing Committee will be solved successfully.
The head of state noted the importance of issues such as coordination in preparation for the Games, the degree of professionalism, the arrival of the guests and solving visa issues, the provision of modern vehicles, hospitality, the operation of information and communications systems, continuation of construction and renovation projects in Baku and around the capital, and bringing local and foreign experts to the Games.
President Aliyev stressed the importance of cultural programs and the significance of introducing guests to the rich and ancient culture of Azerbaijan during the Games.
The Islamic Solidarity Games is a multinational, multi-sport event involving elite athletes from member states of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation.
The 4th Islamic Solidarity Games, which will bring together athletes from 57 countries, will be held under the motto “Solidarity is our power.” More than 160 Azerbaijani athletes will participate in the Games.
The religion of the athletes is not a pre-condition for participation in the competition.
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Nigar Orujova is AzerNews’s staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @o_nigar
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