LIGHTS OF AZERBAIJAN AT EUROPEAN STADIUMS

FC Baku, which has the best sports facilities in Azerbaijan, has concluded a cooperation agreement with one of Europe's strongest clubs Atletico Madrid. At the signing ceremony, Atletico President Enrique Cerezo noted the great importance of cooperation with Azerbaijan in general and FC Baku in particular. In turn, Executive Director of FC Baku Yasar Seyidov stressed the importance of cooperation with Atletico - one of the leading clubs in the world - for any organization. He also noted that the agreement will be useful not only in sports, but also for the development of tourism and cultural ties.

The agreement providing for the training of players, exchanges, and other cooperation was signed by Atletico President Enrique Cerezo and the head of the coordinating centre for cooperation between the two clubs, Sanan Mammadov. Members of FC Atletico, who took part in the ceremony, put their autographs on T-shirts with the inscription "Land of Fire Azerbaijan" and had their photos taken.

After that, on the initiative of the president of FC Baku, Hafiz Mammadov, the Atletico stars visited the Azerbaijan stand at the FITUR-2013 exhibition held in Madrid. On that day, everyone spoke about Azerbaijan at the show, which involved 156 countries. Exhibitors and visitors gathered at the stand of Azerbaijan and tried to get autographs from Arda Turan and Falcao. Even the Armenians, who participated in the FITUR-2013 exhibition, could not hide their amazement at Azerbaijan's achievements.

The agreement with the Spanish club will be in effect until May 2014. If Atletico wins a place in the Champions League in the new season, its players will play there in T-shirts with the inscription "Land of Fire Azerbaijan". The Champions League is the greatest club competition followed closely around the world. So needless to say how important this agreement is for promoting Azerbaijan.

Minister of Youth and Sports Azad Rahimov, who was in Madrid, also stressed the importance of the agreement. "The cooperation between FC Baku and a club that takes 7th place in the European rankings is a significant event. Thus, FC Baku opened another window to Europe. Undoubtedly, cooperation with one of the top clubs in Europe will also lead to development in terms of performance. But Azerbaijan will benefit not only in this respect. First of all, it is planned to raise our football to a new level. The long-term training of children from Azerbaijan in this club will ensure their formation as European-level players," the minister said.

Atletico President Enrique Cerezo also commented on cooperation with the Azerbaijani club in an interview with R+.

- First of all, we wonder about your opinion on cooperation with FC Baku...

- Azerbaijan is a rapidly developing country, in which the Spanish are very interested. After the agreement with FC Baku, Azerbaijan became a home for us. We are proud of the cooperation between our clubs. We wish it to last long. I know that in your country, sports are rapidly developing along with all areas. President Ilham Aliyev loves sports very much and is doing a lot for the development of all sports. We would like to contribute to the development of football in your country.

- What is planned to do within the framework of the cooperation agreement?

- Young players from Azerbaijan will train and study in our football academy. We will identify talented people and do what is necessary for them to become strong players. After the end of the season, Atletico will visit Baku and have a friendly with FC Baku.

- Will it be possible to see Azerbaijani footballers in Atletico in the future?

- Why not? Talented players from Azerbaijan who prove themselves in all respects can get into our teams. It is quite possible that players from Azerbaijan will be given a chance in Atletico.

- Perhaps, you are aware that Arda Turan is particularly popular in Azerbaijan?

- Azerbaijan and Turkey are very close. So I understand your warm feelings for Arda Turan. He's one of the best players of Atletico. We have high hopes for him.

- In what other ways do you intend to develop cooperation with FC Baku?

- The agreement with FC Baku is an important event not only for this club but also for the whole of Azerbaijan. Along with sports, Azerbaijan and Spain should also cooperate in other areas. I look forward to my trip to Baku. I've heard that it's a beautiful city. Cooperation will develop in different directions. In the future, we will provide more information about it.

- Thanks for the info, see you in Baku.

We should note that in accordance with the state programme for the development of football signed by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, children's football should develop in the country and all conditions should be right for improving the level of juniors. In keeping with this goal, FC Baku began working with Atletico from Madrid. During the negotiations with the Spanish side, the club's president proposed the training of juniors from Azerbaijanis at Atletico as an important condition. In March, a review will be held and the most talented young players will be selected to train and study in Spain for three years. All expenses will be paid by FC Baku. On the initiative of the club, selection will be carried out on the entire territory of Azerbaijan. In other words, even if a junior is selected from another club, he will still go to the Atletico base because the main goal is to benefit not only FC Baku, but all Azerbaijani football in general.

In 2016, Azerbaijan will host the final stage of the continental junior football championship. The project, implemented with that in mind, is designed at ensuring the successful performance of the Azerbaijani national team in the upcoming championship. "Our main goal is the successful performance in the upcoming continental championship in Azerbaijan in 2016. With the help of AFFA, we will carry out selection in March. In Spain 13-14-year-olds will go to Spain. After coming back home, they will be able to defend the colours of the national team. All this became possible thanks to President Ilham Aliyev's care for the sport. Were it not for the rapid development of our country, we would not have been able to negotiate with Atletico. The Madrid club is not cooperating with every team. It is the achievements of our country in recent years that helped us to implement this project," the president of FC Baku, Hafiz Mammadov.

It must be noted that cooperation with Atletico is already bearing fruit. Influential publications of Spain and Europe are writing about the rapid development of Azerbaijan. The Spanish press reports about great love for sports in our country and special care for athletes. During his stay in Spain, the author of this article watched cup matches between Atletico and Sevilla. As an Azerbaijani, I am pleased and proud to see the whole of Vicente Calderon Stadium decorated with the words "Land of Fire - Azerbaijan".