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Trend Daily News (Azerbaijan)
December 8, 2012 Saturday 4:33 PM GMT +4
Baku to host ever European games in 2015
Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 8 /Trend/
At the 41th General Assembly of the European Olympic Committee in
Rome, it has been decided to hold the first-ever European Games in
Azerbaijan's capital, Baku.
"The games will be held in 2015," director of the Department of
International Relations of NOC Kenul Nurullayeva told Trend over the
phone from Rome.
The decision was made as a result of the secret balloting, where of 48
votes, 38 came in favor. Eight votes came against, and two more
restrained from voting.
The representatives of Armenia refused to take part in the voting.
Azerbaijan at the Assembly was represented by Minister of Youth and
Sports, vice-president of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of
Azerbaijan Azad Rahimov, vice-president of the Azerbaijani National
Olympics Committee (NOC), Chingiz Huseynzade, AFFA General Secretary
Elkhan Mammadov, NOC International Relations Department's director
Kenul Nurullayeva, and executive director of the Youth Fund, Farhad
Hajiyev.
Second day of the General Assembly began with the presentation of Baku
and its sports facilities.
The President of the European Olympic Committee (EOC) Patrick Hickey
spoke first, telling about the history of these games' idea, and
expressed his support of holding the European Games in Baku.
He spoke about the achievements of the city, the development of which
is observed by all, who visit it. After introductory remarks by
President EOC, his advisor spoke about the concept of these games, and
his special representative told about the negotiations with the
Federations and the Azerbaijan side on Baku's readiness to host the
games.
After the presentations of EOC representatives the floor was given to
Azerbaijani side.
In his speech, Vice-President of the NOC Chingiz Huseynzade told about
the great desire of Baku to host the games, mentioning the enthusiasm
with which the youth of the country, the population of the city will
accept this news.
He also noted that the government, public bodies and federations of
Azerbaijan are preparing and waiting for today's decision.
"It is a historical moment in the European Olympic Committee's
history," Huseynzade said.
Director of the Department of International Relations of NOC Kenul
Nurullayeva spoke afterwards, noting talked about the economic and
political stability, development of Azerbaijan.
In her speech, Nurullayeva also spoke about the tolerance of the local
population, how economic and cultural ways have been crossing with
each other from ancient times to the present day.
In his turn, AFFA General Secretary Elkhan Mammadov spoke about the
sports infrastructure, international sports tournaments,
championships, which have been held and continue to be held in Baku.
In conclusion, Minister of Youth and Sports Azad Rahimov made a
presentation on behalf of the Azerbaijani government.
He gave political and financial guarantees of the government of
Azerbaijan, as well as guarantees for the safety of participants, full
readiness of all sports infrastructure to host these games.
After the minister's speech, the film dedicated to the history, sports
and cultural infrastructure of Baku was demonstrated.
From: A. Papazian
December 8, 2012 Saturday 4:33 PM GMT +4
Baku to host ever European games in 2015
Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 8 /Trend/
At the 41th General Assembly of the European Olympic Committee in
Rome, it has been decided to hold the first-ever European Games in
Azerbaijan's capital, Baku.
"The games will be held in 2015," director of the Department of
International Relations of NOC Kenul Nurullayeva told Trend over the
phone from Rome.
The decision was made as a result of the secret balloting, where of 48
votes, 38 came in favor. Eight votes came against, and two more
restrained from voting.
The representatives of Armenia refused to take part in the voting.
Azerbaijan at the Assembly was represented by Minister of Youth and
Sports, vice-president of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of
Azerbaijan Azad Rahimov, vice-president of the Azerbaijani National
Olympics Committee (NOC), Chingiz Huseynzade, AFFA General Secretary
Elkhan Mammadov, NOC International Relations Department's director
Kenul Nurullayeva, and executive director of the Youth Fund, Farhad
Hajiyev.
Second day of the General Assembly began with the presentation of Baku
and its sports facilities.
The President of the European Olympic Committee (EOC) Patrick Hickey
spoke first, telling about the history of these games' idea, and
expressed his support of holding the European Games in Baku.
He spoke about the achievements of the city, the development of which
is observed by all, who visit it. After introductory remarks by
President EOC, his advisor spoke about the concept of these games, and
his special representative told about the negotiations with the
Federations and the Azerbaijan side on Baku's readiness to host the
games.
After the presentations of EOC representatives the floor was given to
Azerbaijani side.
In his speech, Vice-President of the NOC Chingiz Huseynzade told about
the great desire of Baku to host the games, mentioning the enthusiasm
with which the youth of the country, the population of the city will
accept this news.
He also noted that the government, public bodies and federations of
Azerbaijan are preparing and waiting for today's decision.
"It is a historical moment in the European Olympic Committee's
history," Huseynzade said.
Director of the Department of International Relations of NOC Kenul
Nurullayeva spoke afterwards, noting talked about the economic and
political stability, development of Azerbaijan.
In her speech, Nurullayeva also spoke about the tolerance of the local
population, how economic and cultural ways have been crossing with
each other from ancient times to the present day.
In his turn, AFFA General Secretary Elkhan Mammadov spoke about the
sports infrastructure, international sports tournaments,
championships, which have been held and continue to be held in Baku.
In conclusion, Minister of Youth and Sports Azad Rahimov made a
presentation on behalf of the Azerbaijani government.
He gave political and financial guarantees of the government of
Azerbaijan, as well as guarantees for the safety of participants, full
readiness of all sports infrastructure to host these games.
After the minister's speech, the film dedicated to the history, sports
and cultural infrastructure of Baku was demonstrated.
From: A. Papazian