Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

A 77th Annual Congress of the International Sport Press Association (AIPS) kicked off in Azerbaijan's capital Baku on April 28.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's congratulatory letter was read out at the event by Head of the Public and Political Issues Department of Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Ali Hasanov.

In his congratulatory letter, President Aliyev greeted the congress participants and congratulated them on the occasion of the commencement of the next high-level meeting.

"It is remarkable that the 77th Congress of the International Sports Press Association coincides with the 90th anniversary of the organization," the congratulatory letter reads. "Having entered the anniversary year, the Association has managed to bring together sports journalists from most countries of the world and become a center successfully coordinating their activities.

Stressing that holding this authoritative organization's meeting and anniversary ceremony in Azerbaijan is a remarkable event in the country's public life, the president said in recent years, Azerbaijan has become known as a venue for various summits, meetings of intergovernmental structures, inter-civilization dialogue forums, as well as continental and world scale competitions.

President Aliyev also emphasized that the international sports organizations have decided to hold the 2015 First European Games and the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games 2017 in Azerbaijan.

"We see these decisions as a manifestation of the strong trust in the high tolerance environment in our society, the work undertaken for creation of perfect sports infrastructure and the rich experience in organizing the major international events," the president said, adding that Azerbaijan, which restored its independence in 1991, has guaranteed freedom of speech and expression, formed numerous civil society institutes and a pluralistic space for the media published in various languages.

"Today there are thousands of media outlets in our country, including television, radio, newspapers, magazines, web sites and news portals. Around sixty of them are directly related to sport," the president noted in his letter.

"I believe that the 77th Congress of the International Sports Press Association will make a significant contribution to the development of sport journalism in participating countries, strengthen the cooperation between representatives of the media, promote a healthy lifestyle and improve the activities of the organization. I wish the Congress success and congratulate all the participants on the 90th anniversary of the Association," the letter said.

President Aliyev wished success for the congress and congratulated all its participants on the 90th anniversary of the AIPS.

Addressing the congress, Azerbaijan's Youth and Sports Minister Azad Rahimov said the congress will serve as the campaign for the European Games, to be held in Baku in 2015.

"First of all, Azerbaijan has been the hostess of various World and European championships. Azerbaijani athletes receive numerous medals in various sports competitions. And most importantly, Baku will host the first European Games in June next year," the minister said.

It is important for Azerbaijan to bring together elite from the world sports journalism and to familiarize them with the city and the preparations for the Games, according to the minister.

"This will serve as promotion for the European Games. I believe that all journalists, who will return to their countries, will note in their articles the work done in promoting the sport. The main point is that more than 300 journalists from 108 countries will return as the true friends of Azerbaijan," Rahimov said.

All Europe will be proud of the preparation and holding the first European Games in Azerbaijan, the minister emphasized.

"We are opening a new chapter in the history of sport," he said in reviewing the various high profile sports events hosted by Azerbaijan including the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in 2012.

He hoped delegates would leave with a lasting impression of the country, thanked AIPS for choosing Baku for its congress and congratulated the association it's the 90th anniversary.

The first European Games, to be held in Baku, will be momentous and memorable, President of AIPS Gianni Merlo said, speaking at the event.

Then in a video message, the International Olympic Committee's President Thomas Bach regretted that he could not come to the event. Bach called hosting the Congress in Baku an important event.

The 77th Annual Congress of AIPS will run until May 1.