FIFA WORLD CUP IN AZERBAIJAN

A remarkable event happened during the Novruz holidays - Azerbaijan has been given the opportunity to host the 2012 U-17 Women's World Cup, following a decision by the FIFA Executive Committee. Of course this tournament cannot be compared to the World Cup, European League or the UEFA Champions League. But, nevertheless, the U-17 Women's World Cup in Baku will be a remarkable event. It will be first authoritative sporting event held in Azerbaijan.

FIFA's decision to hold the U-17 Women's World Cup in Baku was rather unexpected. Women's football is not very popular in Azerbaijan, because women do not show a great interest in this sport. The country does not even hold a national women's football championship. Remembering recent scandals within national women's football, it will be clear why the public was surprised by FIFA's decision. But as the decision is taken, then there were good reasons for it.

Government attention 

 There is no doubt that the state's support for sport played the main role in FIFA's decision to task Azerbaijan with hosting the U-17 Women's World Cup. "FIFA is sure that we will be able to organize this event at the highest level. The government's support for sporting events in Azerbaijan was mentioned especially during the discussion. That is why FIFA has chosen Azerbaijan," said AFFA Secretary-General Elxan Mammadov. We have to say that FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter has repeatedly voiced his satisfaction with the government's attention to the development of sport, including football, in Azerbaijan. The fact that within the past 3 months Blatter had 2 meetings with AFFA President Rovnaq Abdullayev shows FIFA's interest in developing cooperation with Azerbaijan.

"Green" problem

Many modern sports complexes have been constructed in Azerbaijan in recent years and the construction of new facilities is underway. However, the problem of high-quality stadiums still exists. Football fans have become accustomed to the fact that different football clubs within the country's premier league use one stadium. UEFA and FIFA believe that only the Tofiq Bahramov stadium and the main stadium in Lankaran comply with the high standards required for international tournaments. The holding of the World Cup in Azerbaijan will contribute, to some extent, to a solution to the stadium problem, because AFFA will supervise their construction. AFFA Secretary-General Elxan Mammadov said that the problem would be solved before 2012. "At least 4 stadiums are required to organize the World Cup. In our application to FIFA we mentioned the Bahramov stadium. In addition, the 5,500 seat arena being constructed in Mardakan village and the stadium in the Bakixanov settlement used by Neftchi were also mentioned in the application. There are plans to erect a new station in Baku's 20th district. We also have the Shafa stadium. The Baki and Olimpik-Shuvalan teams will soon complete the construction of their stadiums. I believe that there will be no problem with stadiums for the World Cup."

Football publicity

Any international tournament is a very good advertisement for the host country. Some 15 teams will come to Baku for the World Cup (the Azerbaijani national team will be the 16th). That means an influx of football fans and journalists who, in turn, will contribute to the development of tourism. Foreign visitors will familiarize themselves with local traditions and the way of life.

Moreover, 2012 will be the year of the London Olympic Games and the European Football Final. Thus, AFFA has to schedule the World Cup in such a way that it is not overshadowed by those events.

State programme

The holding of the World Cup in Baku is also founded on the state programme for the development of football from 2005-15. The programme, signed by President Ilham Aliyev, stresses the importance of holding such significant tournaments. On the other hand, AFFA must organize a national juniors' tournament by 2012 and find gifted local football players for the national women's team. The latter, as host team, ought to represent the country properly.

Regional Development 

Although Baku will host the U-17 Women's World Cup, the regions should not be forgotten. While scheduling the event, AFFA will probably plan to hold some games in the regions. In particular, games could be held in Lankaran, Yevlax and Imishli, although the international agencies spoke well only of Xazar-Lankaran's stadium. The holding of some World Cup games in the regions may help to promote local interest in women's football. "Of course, we are considering this. Several games might be held in the regions. It is too early to say anything specific. We are now busy approving a logo for the tournament. But you can be sure that regions will not be left out." Said AFFA Secretary-General Elxan Mammadov.