Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

All sport arenas of Baku are ready to host the competitions of the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games, said Azad Rahimov.

The Youth and Sport Minister announced about this addressing the conference "Our strength is in solidarity" devoted to the Games, adding that the competitions will be held in 20 sports in 17 sports arenas.

Up to 3,000 athletes from 57 countries will compete in the Games scheduled for May 12-22.

The athletes from Islamic countries around the world will be representing their nations over 10 days of competition across 20 different sports which include 23 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).

"All 57 countries have already confirmed their participation. In addition to athletes, more than 1,000 official representatives of the teams, more than 1,000 technical delegates, will take part in the Games," the minister said.

Rahimov noted that food, transportation services and the safety of guests will be provided at the highest level during the competitions.

The 4th Islamic Solidarity Games will be held at the highest level, according to the minister.

"Sport is developing very dynamically in Azerbaijan. We have repeatedly held international events, and we believe that by holding the Games at a high level, we justify the trust that was given to us," Rahimov said.

Azerbaijan’s capital city Baku was awarded the Games at the General Assembly of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF) in Jeddah in July 2013.

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

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