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AZERIS ATTEMPT TO FOIL WORLD BOXING CHAMPIONSHIPS IN YEREVAN
December 6, 2012 - 17:45 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - It's already a week Yerevan is hosting AIBA Youth
World Boxing Championships, with over 700 athletes from 68 countries
participating.
Boxing Federation of Armenia boasts vast experience in organization
of similar events, with Yerevan first hosting 2009 youth championships
and international boxing tournaments since 2010.
This year Azerbaijan was among the countries expressing readiness to
participate in the event, with Armenia, in turn, pledging to ensure
Azeri athletes' security. As a result, special Tbilisi-Baku charter
flight operated for Azerbaijani boxers, who are currently staying
at a separate hotel, with a group of security officers constantly
guarding them.
Naturally, Azerbaijani sportsmen were not expected to receive standing
ovation in Yerevan, with Armenian fans supporting their rivals.
It's noteworthy that Armenian boxers were stoned and showered with
profanities when performing at Baku-hosted 2011 AIBA World Boxing
Championships, which left them without support, forcing their friends
out of the hall.
Instead, Azerbaijani boxers are free to watch Yerevan championships
from separate stands, support their compatriots and take photos,
with high-level security constantly ensured.
Even Azerbaijani Minister of Youth and Sports Azad Rahimov confessed
a few days ago that their athletes' security was ensured at highest
level.
However, inclusion of Artsakh Republic in the official pamphlet of
the championships came as upsetting to Baku delegation.
In response, Vice-President of the Azerbaijan Boxing Federation
Aghajan Abiyev stated, "We are looking forward for the Azerbaijani
delegation to bring the pamphlet. We will further file the document to
the International Boxing Association (AIBA). That's a political issue.
I believe the association is authorized to ban Armenian from hosting
further international championships."
With the pamphlet reflecting the mere reality, AIBA grants its
permit, depending on the country's ability to organize international
championships. It's noteworthy that Yerevan lent a helping hand to
the association offering to host the event, after Thailand issued
a refusal.
Yerevan championships are coming to an end, leaving only positive and
unforgettable emotions. As for the Azerbaijanis... no doubt, they
can't confess even at heart to have liked the championships. They
agreed to participate in the event out of reluctance to be indebted
to Yerevan due to Armenian athletes' participation in 2011 Baku-hosted
championships.
Hasmik Babayan, Gohar Nalbandyan / PanARMENIAN News
December 6, 2012 - 17:45 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - It's already a week Yerevan is hosting AIBA Youth
World Boxing Championships, with over 700 athletes from 68 countries
participating.
Boxing Federation of Armenia boasts vast experience in organization
of similar events, with Yerevan first hosting 2009 youth championships
and international boxing tournaments since 2010.
This year Azerbaijan was among the countries expressing readiness to
participate in the event, with Armenia, in turn, pledging to ensure
Azeri athletes' security. As a result, special Tbilisi-Baku charter
flight operated for Azerbaijani boxers, who are currently staying
at a separate hotel, with a group of security officers constantly
guarding them.
Naturally, Azerbaijani sportsmen were not expected to receive standing
ovation in Yerevan, with Armenian fans supporting their rivals.
It's noteworthy that Armenian boxers were stoned and showered with
profanities when performing at Baku-hosted 2011 AIBA World Boxing
Championships, which left them without support, forcing their friends
out of the hall.
Instead, Azerbaijani boxers are free to watch Yerevan championships
from separate stands, support their compatriots and take photos,
with high-level security constantly ensured.
Even Azerbaijani Minister of Youth and Sports Azad Rahimov confessed
a few days ago that their athletes' security was ensured at highest
level.
However, inclusion of Artsakh Republic in the official pamphlet of
the championships came as upsetting to Baku delegation.
In response, Vice-President of the Azerbaijan Boxing Federation
Aghajan Abiyev stated, "We are looking forward for the Azerbaijani
delegation to bring the pamphlet. We will further file the document to
the International Boxing Association (AIBA). That's a political issue.
I believe the association is authorized to ban Armenian from hosting
further international championships."
With the pamphlet reflecting the mere reality, AIBA grants its
permit, depending on the country's ability to organize international
championships. It's noteworthy that Yerevan lent a helping hand to
the association offering to host the event, after Thailand issued
a refusal.
Yerevan championships are coming to an end, leaving only positive and
unforgettable emotions. As for the Azerbaijanis... no doubt, they
can't confess even at heart to have liked the championships. They
agreed to participate in the event out of reluctance to be indebted
to Yerevan due to Armenian athletes' participation in 2011 Baku-hosted
championships.
Hasmik Babayan, Gohar Nalbandyan / PanARMENIAN News