A NEW LEVEL

Apparently, this year will be remembered by the increased international recognition of Azerbaijan in sports. And not only due to our achievements.

For the first time in Azerbaijan’s history, the representative of our country will lead the European sports federation: Secretary General of the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation (AGF) Farid Gayibov has been elected the president of the European Union of Gymnastics (EUG). "This is a recognition of the rapid development of gymnastics in Azerbaijan by the European gymnastic family. The organization of the world and European championships in Azerbaijan, the construction of the state-of-art National Gymnastics Arena and gymnastics sections in the regions have been rightfully appreciated by the European Union of Gymnastics," reads the congratulatory letter to Farid Gayibov by the President of Azerbaijan, the President of the National Olympic Committee Ilham Aliyev and the First Vice-president of Azerbaijan, President of the Azerbaijan Federation of Gymnastics Mehriban Aliyeva.

The letter indicates that F. Gayibov's activity as vice-president of EUG has also played an instrumental role in his election.

At the EUG conference in the Croatian city of Split, Baku’s nomination was a success from the very beginning. Farid Gayibov outstripped the other candidate, Slovenian Ed Kolar, with 28 of 50 votes. As president, our compatriot will replace Georges Guelzec, who has been leading the international union since 2009.

In recent years, the gymnastics in Azerbaijan has been developing very successfully. Under the leadership of Mehriban Aliyeva, our athletes have made great achievements. Farid Gayibov's election to such a prestigious position is an indicator of confidence in Azerbaijani sports and the country as a whole.

Farid Gayibov gave his first interview as president of EUG to Region Plus. He thanked the First Vice President of the country, the President of the Federation of Gymnastics of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva for her contribution to the development of gymnastics in Azerbaijan and the world: "This year, our federation turns fifteen years old. It is led by Mehriban Aliyeva. I congratulate Mrs. Aliyeva, since over the years she has managed to prepare a manager who is able to manage the European Union of Gymnastics. Mehriban Aliyeva always supports us, we love her. I also want to thank the whole team of the federation, everyone who supported us."

Speaking about the upcoming activities as president of EUG, Farid Gayibov noted that new projects will be implemented. "For the past four years, I have worked as the vice-president of EUG and introduced new projects to the Union. In the next four years, we will continue some of them, which were successful. Naturally, there will be other projects to be implemented in European countries," says the president of EUG.

Farid Gayibov also indicated the difficulties of the struggle for the EUG presidency: "Of course, the election campaign was difficult. You know that in recent years Azerbaijan has enjoyed great authority in the field of sports. The results shown by Azerbaijani athletes, international competitions held in our country glorified Azerbaijan, strengthened its authority. I took this high post thanks to the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation, thanks to the work done in the federation. In today's speech, I also talked about what we achieved in the federation in fifteen years. Everyone sees the work done, and the fact that today they believed in me, naturally, the result of this particular work. I am very happy that we have been trusted by this successful activity."

The participants of the 27^th Congress of EUG have highly appreciated the election of Farid Gayibov. Former president of the International Gymnastics Federation Bruno Grandi told Region Plus that he was pleased with the results of the election.

For reference, the Secretary General of the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation Farid Gayibov has also served as the executive director of a number of tournaments held in Baku, the World Cup in gymnastics, European championships. In 2008 and 2012, he was elected a member of the Council of the International Federation of Gymnastics, and in 2013 - Vice-President of the European Union of Gymnastics. As the president of the Union, Farid Gayibov will also act as a member of the executive committee of the International Gymnastics Federation.

By the way, Farid Gayibov has already resigned as the Secretary General of the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation. Nurlan Mammadzade was elected to this post, who has been the assistant (2007-2009) and Deputy Secretary General of the federation since 2009.

Bruno Grandi, former president of the International Gymnastics Federation: "I am very glad that Farid Gayibov was elected to such a responsible post. Azerbaijan can be a small country. However, today your representative Farid Gayibov was elected the president of the European Union of Gymnastics. This is an extremely important choice. I believe that his knowledge and experience will bring the organization to a new level. " 

Azad Rahimov, Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan: "Thanks to the fruitful activity of the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation Farid Gayibov was elected to the high office of the president of the European Union of Gymnastics. I am sure that his election will contribute to the development of gymnastics in Azerbaijan. Our country will also contribute to the development of gymnastics around the world." 

Jesús Carballo, President of the Spanish Gymnastics Federation: "The election of the General Secretary of the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation, Farid Gayibov, to the post of the president of the European Union of Gymnastics is very important. We will see his active work on future projects. We have high hopes for the bright future of the European Union of Gymnastics."

Lisa Wortman, Director General of the European Union of Gymnastic: "I am pleased with the results of the elections. I believe that now it is very important that there are people who organize events professionally. Definitely, Farid Gayibov is one of such professionals. We saw how the events were organized in Azerbaijan."

Mariana Vasileva, member of the AGF Executive Committee: "I sincerely thank President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva for their support and belief in us, for Azerbaijan being a strong enough country and leading the European countries. I would like to also thank AGF Vice-President Altay Hasanov and Secretary General Farid Gayibov for their continuous support. Farid Gayibov's election as the president of the European Union of Gymnastics is the victory of Azerbaijan."