Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games to involve thousands of volunteers

By Amina Nazarli

Next spring will be another significant sporting season for Azerbaijan, which is going to host the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games.

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

And, of course, organization of grand events is not without the help of volunteers, who played an invaluable role when Azerbaijan hosted such major international events as Baku 2015 European Games and Formula 1 Grand Prix of Europe this summer.

Meanwhile, the Operating Volunteer Center of the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games has started to operate recently, which select those wishing to participate in the Games as volunteers.

Corporate Director of Islamic Solidarity Games Operations Committee, Ambassador on volunteers Elchin Safarov visited the Center and acquainted with the interviewing process.

“Some 8,000 volunteers will be involved in the Baku 2017, 4th Islamic Solidarity Games, to be held from May 12-22,” said Safarov.

He noted that the selection process of volunteers is still underway, adding that about 50,000 volunteers have registered to participate in the various events.

“The registration for the volunteering program of the Baku 2017, which started on October 17, continues. The process will last till February 2017. The Center for Volunteering offers free of charge courses for improving communication and English language skills,” he said.

The Islamic Solidarity Games is the second largest inter-governmental organization after the UN with 57 member states spread over four continents.

The decision to hold the fourth Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku was made at the eighth General Assembly of the ISSF in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in July 2013.

The official opening ceremony and closing of the fourth Islamic Solidarity Games will be held at the Baku Olympic Stadium.

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

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