Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva have inspected construction of National Gymnastics Arena in Baku on February 17.

Youth and Sport Minister Azad Rahimov informed the president and his spouse on the work carried out at the Arena. Rahimov said the facility would host different sporting and other events, adding that the capacity of the 6,000-seat Arena can be increased to 9,600 seats.

He also said there is a special complex for conducting gymnasts trainings.

Then, Ilham Aliyev and Mehriban Aliyeva watched the training of gymnasts.

The National Gymnastics Arena (NGA) in Baku, which is now under construction, is primarily designed to host rhythmic and artistic gymnastics competitions. It will be able to host gymnasts' training for international tournaments. The facilities will include training halls, auditoriums, cafeterias, a gymnasium, as well as offices.

The arena facilities will include two main concourse levels with welfare facilities and food and beverage outlets; above them on the upper level of the arena will be the box level, which will host VIPs. There will also be a large area for a two-storey restaurant with viewing capacity onto the arena floor.

When the NGA hosts international competitions there will be all the requirements for international media and sponsors expected of today's world class sporting venues -- from interview rooms and media control center and sponsor rooms to press rooms.

Within the 24,000 sq. m. of surrounding landscape that will be designed to complement the arena an underground car park capable of parking at least 300 vehicles will be available.

Azerbaijan will host the 30th rhythmic gymnastics championships in summer, 2014. This great event will bring together athletes from over 30 countries who will be accommodated in the future Olympic Village built for the first European Games 2015, to be held in Baku.