A WORTHWHILE YEAR

Last year, 2013, has been one of the most successful sports years for Azerbaijan. Compared with the previous season, the sportsmen have won more medals, have worthily defended the country's sporting honour at the Universiade, the Islamic Solidarity Games and other international competitions. In the main the official groundwork has focussed on training for the first European Games which are to be held in Baku in 2015.

Azerbaijan's minister of youth and culture, Azad RAGIMOV, has shared his thoughts on 2013 and his plans for sport in 2014 with R+ in an interview.

 - The victories of 2013 did indeed make it a remarkable year in Azerbaijan's sport. Azad Rahimov, what do you think was the most memorable event of the year? 

-Usually the year after the Olympics produces fewer medals. But 2013 was an exception. This year we won almost 800 medals. To be more exact, Azeri sportsmen brought home to their motherland 782 medals in all types of sport. Four sportsmen became world champions in Olympic categories of sport. Not only the traditional sports have gained ground, but other types as well. Our chess players won gold medals in the European championship. Azerbaijan's sportsmen represented their country in a worthy manner at the Universiade and the Islamic Solidarity Games. 

- The preparations for the 2014 European Games will probably be even more demanding?

-The first European Games are to take place in Baku in 2015. Azerbaijan's capital is writing the first page in the most prestigious competition on the continent. I think that the holding of the first European Games in Baku is like Azerbaijan being awarded top marks for its major sporting successes. Yes, 2014 will be an extremely important year because of the organisation of the Games. Licensed competitions are to be held in a number of sports. Sports facilities will be constructed for the Games. Baku will host a number of major competitions at the same time.

- When will the sports arena for the European Games be ready?

- We are going to try and commission the facilities by the beginning of 2015. I would like to note that some sports complexes would have been built anyway, even without the European Games, since President Ilham Aliyev thinks it is a top priority to erect world-class sports arenas. The building of the Olympic Stadium and the Baku Gymnastics Centre had been planned earlier, and that project is successfully going ahead. The Boxing Club, the Chess Palace and the Water Sports Centre are being built at the same time. The Baku Palace of Sport and the Heydar Aliyev Sports and Concert Complex is being given a major overhaul. We are also continuing to build sports centres in the regions. It is our aim to support the ongoing development of sport in the country.

- After the ultimate confirmation of Baku's nomination [as the venue for the European Games), everyone said that there was not enough time left to organise it. Do you think that the tight deadlines might create additional problems?

- We knew beforehand that the deadlines would be tight. But this won't be a problem for our competent and dynamic team. Everything is going to plan today. The building of the facilities is continuing and the schedule for the Games is being drawn up. Baku will be ready for the Games on time. In holding top-class competitions, our country will contribute a new page to the history of world sport.

- A sitting of the European Games co-ordinating committee took place recently. What did the European Olympic Committee think about the work that has already been done?

- The work we have done has been assessed highly. The first session of the co-ordinating committee took place roughly 200 days ago, and the amount achieved in Azerbaijan in such a short time met with approval. In this period the organising committee has been set up, and the Games' official logo has been presented. Some recommendations were made. It is vital to create good conditions for the competitors in the games. Splendid living and training conditions have been provided for them in Baku.  Transport is another matter. The capital is a very crowded city. A great deal will be done to prevent traffic jams and problems on the roads occurring.

- Five thousand four hundred sportsmen are expected to come to Baku. What is more, the Olympic Village and sports facilities will be situated a long way from the city centre.  Assurances were given earlier that there would not be any traffic problems…

- I agree with you, but I'm thinking about those days when cycle races and triathlon competitions take place. On those days, we shall have to close the central streets, which is bound to cause problems for the local population. We shall try to keep the public transport running and also to ensure that the competitors and fans get to their competition venues on time.

- What is being done about broadcasting the Games?

- The European Games Operation Committee (BEGOC) has concluded an agreement with the International Sports Broadcasting company, the ISB. During the 16 days of the European Games there will be 1,200 hours of news bulletins and programmes, including direct transmissions from all the semi-finals and finals, as well as the provision of information on the main results. In addition to the services granted to the ISB, there has been a campaign to sell the rights to broadcast the Games throughout Europe and other countries. The ISB will also draw up the project for and manage the International TV Broadcasting Centre of the European Games.

- The European Games in Baku will be followed by a number of major competitions. The next few years will evidently be packed with sports contests in our country …

- In 2015 the World Chess Cup is to take place in Baku and the Chess Olympiad in 2016. Azerbaijan has been entrusted with organising the Islamic Solidarity Games in 2017. All these high-level competitions are to be arranged with the productive mutual co-operation between the National Olympic Committee and Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Youth and Sport and the sports federations. Today we are working together as a single team.

Thanks to the attention of Azerbaijan's president, Ilham Aliyev, splendid conditions have been created in the country to boost all categories of sport. The head of state allocates the winning sportsmen a flat within a year. I believe that our country conducts prestigious top-level competitions and sets an example to other countries. We are not forgetting our own competitors in the European Games either. Besides our role as organisers, it is also important to us that Azerbaijan's sportsmen will be competing in the tournament.