Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

Azerbaijan is bracing itself to hold the First European Games Baku 2015 at a high standard.

This was announced by Azerbaijani Youth and Sports Minister Azad Rahimov at a press conference on the 3rd Sitting of the European Games Coordination Committee on April 4.

Rahimov said the process of preparing for holding the games is underway, the issues related to security, transport, sports equipment installation have already been resolved, and the construction works are ongoing at a growing rate.

"We will carry out preparations for these games in a short time. Preparation for this kind of games usually takes 6-7 years, but we must do it in two years. I believe in our team, which is able to organize the European games in Baku at a high level," he said.

"The Azerbaijani people actively support the European games and look forward to their beginning," he said.

Baku Games will involve around 6,000 competitors from the 49 Olympic nations of Europe across 19 sports, including new formats and disciplines featured for the first time at a major European sports event.

The list of sports includes Aquatics, Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball 3x3, Beach soccer, Boxing, Canoe Sprint, Cycling, Fencing, Gymnastics, Judo, Karate, Shooting, Table tennis, Taekwondo, Triathlon, Volleyball, and Wrestling.

The games will start on June 12, 2015.