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BP partner of Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games [PHOTO]

6 February 2017 13:37 (UTC+04:00)
BP partner of Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games [PHOTO]

By Amina Nazarli

British energy giant BP and the Organizing Committee of the Islamic Solidarity Games Baku-2017 signed an agreement on February 6 that will see BP become the Official Oil and Gas Partner for the Games.

The agreement was signed by Azad Rahimov, Azerbaijani Youth and Sports Minister, and Gordon Birrell, BP’s Regional President for Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey.

“This is a part of our support to develop sports in Azerbaijan. BP is the official partner to the Games and also will continue to render every assistance in training of sport envoys, as well as the volunteers,” Birrell said.

As well as becoming an Official Partner of the Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games, BP will continue to support seven national athlete ambassadors as they prepare for the Games and beyond.

In addition, BP will support the delivery of the Baku 2017 Games-time Volunteer Programme. As part of this initiative 6,000 young people will not only have the chance to play an important part in delivering the Games, they will also be able to benefit from comprehensive training, designed to help them develop leadership, presentation, communication and public speaking skills.

A multinational and multi-sport event involving the elite athletes of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation will be held on May 12-22. The event will welcome over 5,000 athletes to compete in 20 sports disciplines during the 12 days of competition.

Being the 4th in the edition, the Games will host as many as 57 countries, which is the record number of the participants in the history of the event.

Azad Rahimov said that with over 50 countries having already confirmed their participation, Baku 2017 promises to be a major international sporting event that will bring together people from all Islamic countries in a spirit of peace, solidarity, respect and excellence.

“We are delighted that BP wants to partner with Baku 2017 and play an active role in helping us deliver these Games. Over the past 25 years, BP has established a reputation for investing in sporting, cultural and educational initiatives across Azerbaijan,” he said.

Birrell further mentioned that that “2017 is a special year for us.”

“We are celebrating the 25th anniversary of our successful partnership with the government and the people of Azerbaijan. We are delighted to announce today that as part of our 25th anniversary celebrations we will become an Official Partner of the Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games and will also enhance our support to the National Olympic and Paralympic Committees by extending our partnership agreement with them until 2020,” he clarified.

2017 is also an exciting year for Azerbaijan as its capital city Baku hosts the Islamic Solidarity Games, Birrell emphasized.

“By joining this landmark event for the country we would like to once again highlight that we are together with Azerbaijan and want to celebrate its passion for sport,” he said. “Support for the development of the country’s sporting potential is one of the priority areas in our social investment. As Azerbaijan’s long term and reliable oil and gas partner, over the past 25 years, BP has remained committed to helping the nation by investing in education, local communities, local enterprises, cultural legacy, sport and a number of other areas. We see all this as an investment in the capacity-building efforts of the country as it aims to build a strong future.”

Rahimov further mentioned that the country may offer discounts on travel expenses and meals for poor countries, which lack sources to participate in the Islamic Solidarity Games.

“Azerbaijan will not pay the expenses for the trip of member- countries. For food each country needs to allocate $50 per day for each of its participant. We can make some discounts on travel and food for poor countries," he said.

The minister added that participation of local and world stars is not planned at Baku 2017, but promising that the opening ceremony will be a grand celebration.

"The opening ceremony of the Games does not stipulate performance of singers, and only at the closing ceremony local stars will support us. I am sure that all will like the opening ceremony,” the minister said.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz

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BP partner of Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games [PHOTO] - Gallery Image
BP partner of Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games [PHOTO] - Gallery Image
BP partner of Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games [PHOTO] - Gallery Image
BP partner of Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games [PHOTO] - Gallery Image
BP partner of Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games [PHOTO] - Gallery Image
BP partner of Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games [PHOTO] - Gallery Image
BP partner of Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games [PHOTO] - Gallery Image
BP partner of Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games [PHOTO] - Gallery Image
BP partner of Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games [PHOTO] - Gallery Image
BP partner of Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games [PHOTO] - Gallery Image
BP partner of Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games [PHOTO] - Gallery Image
BP partner of Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games [PHOTO] - Gallery Image
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