SUCCESS OF THE REGATTA

On May 4-7, a regular international canoeing tournament was held in Sugovushan, at the foot of the mountains. Over 100 local and foreign athletes from 20 countries attended the President Cup 2023 regatta dedicated to the 100th anniversary of national leader Heydar Aliyev.

Successful result

The winners of medals in competitions included on the European Canoe Association's calendar were the representatives from 15 countries. In the regatta organised in Sugovushan and Mingachevir, Azerbaijani athletes were awarded a total of 14 medals. The final result of our team after three competition days is 2 gold, 3 silver and 9 bronze medals.

The gold went to kayakers Vajib Babayev and Nihad Rahimov (b. 2009-2010) who showed the best result in 200m. The duo of Sahib Ayyubzade and Nuran Rahimli earned bronze.

Maarif Garayev and Rufat Rahimov (b. 2005-2006) were the second best, while Emil Allahverdiyev and Amil Suleymanov settled for bronze. The Azerbaijani national team took another bronze medal in rowing. In the 1,000m race Tunar Jafarli ranked third among athletes born in 2009-2010.

Elmir Mammadov was awarded first place in various categories. He was followed by Maarif Hasanov and Nihad Rahimov (second) and Darina Hasanova and Gulnara Gamzayeva (third). Gamzayeva also ranked third in 500m canoe single race among girls born in 2005-2008. Elmir Mammadov ranked second in kayak race on the same distance among boys born in 2005-2008. In the same age category, Ramil Mustafayev and Rufat Rahimov won the bronze medal in 500m canoeing. Nurlan Pashayev settled for bronze in 2,000m in rowing (2005-2006).

Opportunities for larger competitions

One of the distinguishing features of the international regatta was its inclusion in the calendar of the European Canoe Association (ECA). ECA president Jean Zoungrana and head of the International Canoe Association (ICA) Tomasz Konečko, who visited Azerbaijan, said it was possible to hold larger competitions at the Sugovushan Reservoir. They believe European and world championships can also be held here in the future.

Commenting on the President's Cup 2023 regatta held in Sugovushan and Mingechevir, Jean Zoungrana praised the organisers: "The tournament was organised very well. It can considerably promote rowing in Europe. It was my first visit to Azerbaijan after I was elected the head of the ECA. That's why it was important for me to watch the current race. The competition in Sugovushan and Mingechevir can be regarded as a licensing tournament in our future itinerary. All the necessary conditions are available for that."

IAC President Tomasz Konečko believes that there will be more participants in the international regatta in the future: "In the future, Sugovushan and Mingechevir can well host prestigious international competitions. I will support Azerbaijan's likely candidacy in this area. I think this is a very good opportunity to mark an important anniversary for your country. To hold such competitions is of great importance both for Azerbaijan and for promoting this sport in participating countries. Sugovushan is a special place with its own history. I was a witness how Azerbaijan in a short time mastered this region and created all the necessary conditions to hold these competitions. The conditions in Sugovushan meet all the international standards. So, in the future, such prestigious competitions as the World Cup can be held there."

Azerbaijani Youth and Sports Minister Farid Gayibov underlined the importance of holding the President's Cup 2023 tournament: "This is the third such competition in Sugovushan. Each time the number of foreign countries that join the tournament increases. All these organisational works would be impossible without state support. Our athletes always feel the attention and care of President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva."

The key feature of the Sugovushan tournament is that it gives a chance to young athletes to test themselves by gaining experience in international regattas and showing their potential for national teams. Holding a world cup in Sugovushan will definitely draw more athletes from more countries to the region. As for licensing competitions, they will further promote rowing in Azerbaijan and attract new athletes.