Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

Baku, located on the western edge of the Caspian Sea, is in anticipation of the grand sport events as for the first time, the city will host Islamic Solidarity Games in May and for the second time F1 cars will race along its streets this June.

The fabulous atmosphere in Baku will provide a perfect backdrop for the 2017 FIA Formula One World Championship and the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games, and allow spectators to enjoy a truly unique live sporting experience.

To ensure that travelers and sport fans are able to get a visa to Azerbaijan easier, President Ilham Aliyev signed an order simplifying visa procedures for foreigners and stateless persons traveling to Azerbaijan in connection with the 2017 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix and the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games.

Under the presidential order, foreign citizens and stateless persons traveling to Azerbaijan in connection with these two competitions may get a visa from the representative offices of the Consular Department of the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan at international airports upon arrival.

Under the order, to get a visa upon arrival foreign citizens and stateless persons should present one of the following documents for Formula 1: proof of permanent accreditation of a person in accordance with the applicable rules of the Formula One Management Limited and the International Automobile Federation, the international organizers of the 2017 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix; Proof of accreditation with Baku City Circuit Operations Company.

Baku, which has turned into a circuit of legendary corners seeped in history with cars running through the capital's streets, is preparing to hold another exciting year with the Formula 1 European Grand Prix family.

The Grand Prix of Azerbaijan is scheduled for June 23-25. Tickets for the 2017 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix are available to purchase online via www.bakucitycircuit.com from December 2.

This year more than 30,000 tickets were put on for sale and citizens of 40 countries have already purchased tickets. Moreover, the number of Azerbaijani citizens buying tickets has also increased.

Under the second decree, the Cabinet instructed during a month to take appropriate measures for organizing a system of accreditation of persons involved in the organization and holding of IV Islamic Solidarity Games, as well as participants of the Games; identify persons who are accredited; to approve the rules on accreditation and accreditation card form; take necessary measures to ensure the activities of the accreditation system; solve other issues arising from the order.

The accredited foreigners and stateless persons may enter and leave Azerbaijan from April to July 1 2017 on the basis of a passport or other documents required for crossing the border, and accreditation card without a visa. For foreigners and stateless persons involved in labor activity in the territory of Azerbaijan in connection with the organization and holding of the Islamic Solidarity Games a work permit is not required.

The Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games is an exciting multi-sport event uniting the Islamic world, which will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan from 12 – 22 May 2017.

260,000 tickets will be available on sale for the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games. The ticket sales will start on Novruz holiday.

Athletes from Islamic countries around the world will be representing their nations over 10 days of competition across 20 different sports which include 24 disciplines (Athletics and Para Athletics, Aquatics – Diving, Aquatics – Swimming, Aquatics – Water Polo, Basketball 3x3, Football, Gymnastics – Artistic, Gymnastics – Rhythmic, Wushu, Table Tennis, Handball, Judo and Blind Judo, Wrestling – Greco, Wrestling – Freestyle, Shooting, Tennis, Volleyball, Boxing, Zurkhaneh, Karate, Taekwondo and Weightlifting) in 16 state-of-the-art competition venues across Baku.

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

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