ISLAMIC SOLIDARITY IN SPORT

"Oh Sport, You Are a World!" The famous saying by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the initiator of the modern Olympic Games, has shown the growing role of sporting events at the junction of the 19-20th centuries. Over the past century, the role and importance of sport in the public life has significantly strengthened. Very few people would not empathize with athletes, football, hockey players and other athletes of his country in the days of the Olympics, world championships, etc. On the other hand, major sporting events reveal the inner world of the host country and show the beauty of its nature, history and culture.

It is no coincidence that numerous countries compete for the right to host Olympic Games, world or continental championships, trying to attract as much attention as possible.

Therefore, special attention to the development of sports in Azerbaijan is completely justified.

"There is no other means that would demonstrate symbols of Azerbaijan's independence as much as sport." This statement by national leader Heydar Aliyev accurately expresses the slogan of the government's sports policy.

Thanks to the attention being paid to sport and the development of sports infrastructure, Azerbaijan has repeatedly hosted large-scale events such as European and world championships in various sports.

Finally, the country's main achievement has been the remarkable organization of the first European Games that took place in June this year.

The highest score for the organization of the Games has been given by President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach, President of the European Olympic Committee Patrick Hickey, as well as the presidents of Turkey, Russia, Serbia and other countries attending this festival of sport.

All of them emphasized that the level of organization of the European Games was in no way inferior to the world's most prestigious sports event - Summer Olympic Games. It should be noted that Azerbaijan has become a pioneer in the European Olympic movement - the future of European Games pretty much depended on the success of the Baku Games. And Azerbaijan has fully lived up to expectations by establishing the highest standards of organization it will be very difficult for any other state to emulate. 

Such a high standard of organization has also been supported by athletes - in team standings Azerbaijan won 56 medals, including 21 gold, and finished second only to Team Russia.

Of course, the joy of fans who had the opportunity of supporting national athletes on their home soil was priceless.

"The European Games have allowed us the opportunity to demonstrate our potential. Azerbaijan showed Europe and the world again that it is experiencing a period of rapid development, is a land of friendship and cooperation where representatives of all nations and religions live in peace like one family, and we are ready and capable of accommodating all the guests. The Azerbaijani people have once again demonstrated their hospitality, tolerance and respect for the guests," President Ilham Aliyev said.

Azerbaijan will have another opportunity of demonstrating its standards in organizing major sports events in 2017, as the Fourth Islamic Solidarity Games will also be held in Baku in May.

The Organizing Committee of the Games has already been established. It is headed by First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva. The first meeting has been chaired by President Ilham Aliyev.

"I am confident that Islamic Games will, in the first place, strengthen Islamic solidarity and show both the Muslim world and the whole planet once again that Islam is a religion of peace, mercy and brotherhood. The Games will also show the world that Azerbaijan is a country with great potential capable of conducting the most prestigious international competitions. We will make sure that all organizational issues are resolved. Of course, we will benefit from the experience we gained in the First European Games. If we consider that the Organizing Committee was dealing with the European Games in about the same composition, I am sure that all our objectives will be met and Azerbaijan will demonstrate its capabilities once again," the President told the Organizing Committee of the Games.

It is worth mentioning that the Islamic Games will not require major investment. All the facilities to be engaged in the Games are already in place. 

These include the Baku Olympic Stadium, the National Stadium named after Tofiq Bahramov, the Baku Palace of Water Sports, the Baku Sports Palace, the Baku Crystal Hall, the Baku Tennis Academy, the Sports Arena named after Heydar Aliyev, the Bakcell Arena, the Baku Shooting Center, and the Baku Expo Center. "So we will use all the sports facilities built and renovated in preparation for the First European Games. There is no need for building new sports facilities," the chair of the Organizing Committee of the Islamic Games, Mehriban Aliyeva, said at the meeting.

The Islamic Games are expected to bring together about 5,000 athletes from 57 Muslim states. According to arrangements, competitions will be held in 20 sports, including field athletics, gymnastics, wrestling, boxing, judo, taekwondo, weightlifting, tennis, table tennis, shooting, swimming, basketball, handball, football, etc. The Games will also feature a competition of Paralympic field athletics and judo. Another distinctive feature of the Games will be a competition in a nontraditional sport - national game "Zorxana".

The official opening and closing ceremonies of the Fourth Islamic Solidarity Games will be held at the Olympic Stadium.

The athletes participating in the Games will be stationed in the Athletes Village. The Media Village will accommodate representatives of the media.

"One of our top priorities is to promote the events in the world and secure information support. As a first step, an Internet portal containing detailed information about the Games will be prepared. World media will circulate reports about the Islamic Solidarity Games," Aliyeva said.

She noted that negotiations were under way on organizing broadcasts of the Games and attracting international and local sponsors.

"One of the issues on the agenda associated with the development of ideas for the opening and closing ceremonies, solution of technical issues, including preparation of preliminary designs of medals and logo. The number and capacity of hotels available in Baku and Abseron will be specified in order to accommodate athletes, official delegations, tourists and visitors during the Games. There will be no problem with that", the chair of the Organizing Committee said.

About 10,000 volunteers are to be engaged in the Games.

In general, a broad action plan is being prepared, which will include all areas related to the competition and define the tasks of each agency involved.

President Ilham Aliyev called for special attention to be paid to security. "During the European Games, security measures were organized at the highest level. I have already talked about this and want to say it again. In recent years, I have attended the opening ceremonies of many Olympic Games and seen armed men on the streets and even special installations in some cases. Sometimes, anti-aircraft guns were installed on rooftops. But it was impossible to find a single armed man in Baku. This is our approach. Security was organized at the highest level. At the same time, security measures should not create problems for ordinary people, especially the people of Baku. Visitors should not feel that either," he stressed.

He noted that the work of information and communication systems and city transport should be well-organized. The President also called for keeping the necessary level of service in the athletes and media villages until 2017 to maintain their high level.

In about a month, sports functionaries from Islamic countries will be able to assess the degree of Azerbaijan's readiness to host the Islamic Games. On 2-4 November, the Ninth General Assembly of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation and the first meeting of the coordination commission established in connection with the Islamic Solidarity Games will be held not in Saudi Arabia, but in Baku for the first time.

Incidentally, it is worth noting that Azerbaijan will play host to European and Islamic Games over the course of two years, which is another manifestation of the harmonious fusion of two cultures and a high level of tolerance and multiculturalism in the country.

Before the Islamic Games, Baku will host several other important sporting events. In 2016, the city will host the final stage of the U17 European football championship, the world cup of Olympic class sailing yachts for youths under 23, the chess Olympiad and a Formula 1 Grand Prix.

Also ahead of us is the 2020 European football championship - Baku will host group matches and one quarter-final match.

The existing experience and the tremendous sense of responsibility the country's leadership has in relation to such events allow us the opportunity to count on the successful outcome of this competition.

To fill the entire spectrum of sport competitions, Baku only needs to win the right to host Summer Olympic Games. The experience of the First European games, as well as Islamic Games, the European Football Championship and other events will undoubtedly add points to Azerbai-jan's attempts to bring the world's main competition to its soil.

FIRSTHAND

"I am confident that Islamic Games will, in the first place, strengthen Islamic solidarity and show both the Muslim world and the whole planet once again that Islam is a religion of peace, mercy and brotherhood. The Games will also show the world that Azerbaijan is a country with great potential capable of conducting the most prestigious international competitions." 

Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan