An official opening ceremony of the world boxing championship has been held at the Heydar Aliyev Sports and Concert Complex in Baku.
The ceremony was attended by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
The ceremony participants warmly welcomed the head of state.
The national flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the flags of the International Boxing Association and the championship, as well as panels with the names of participating countries, were brought into the competition hall of the Heydar Aliyev Sports and Concert Complex.
The capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, is holding yet another respectable sporting event. A total of 570 boxers representing 113 countries will compete in the world boxing championship to be held in Baku from 26 September to 8 October. This is a record figure for the number of countries and athletes. The world’s leading boxers participating in the Baku championship will also compete for licenses for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Those qualifying into quarterfinals of the championship will win Olympic licenses.
Addressing the ceremony, the Azerbaijani Minister of Youth and Sports, Azad Rahimov, said:
Dear Mr. President!
Dear ladies and gentlemen, dear sportsmen!
Let me salute you all in this magnificent palace named after Heydar Aliyev and congratulate you on the opening of the 16th world boxing championship. It is one of the most momentous days in the sports history of Azerbaijan today. It is gratifying that the hosting of international competitions in Azerbaijan has become a tradition in recent years. These memorable sporting events also form an integral part of our culture. Sport, which is a symbol of peace and cooperation among nations, can rally mankind around high ideals. Of course, the attention and care about physical culture and sports in our country are manifested in the development of all sports, including boxing.
The consistent sport policies launched by the nationwide leader of the Azerbaijani people, the great Heydar Aliyev are now continued by the head of state, the President of the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev. Year after year, the Olympic movement in our country gains momentum. A clear proof of that are victories of our athletes in world and European championships and Olympic Games. The great attention the head of state is paying to sports is giving an impetus to a more confident and consistent participation of our athletes in competitions.
At present, the attention and interest in boxing Azerbaijan have increased. Thanks to the fruitful and creative activities of the federation, boxing has entered a new phase in its development. As you know, our country is experienced in conducting respectable tournaments.
Today, Baku is playing host to the 16th world boxing championship. Athletes from more than 100 countries will compete for medals and Olympic licenses in this championship, which confirms that the competition will be interesting and tense.
We believe that all participants in the 16th world championship will further promote the sporting authority of their countries. Let the strongest win! Thank you for your attention.
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Speaking next, the President of the International Boxing Association, Ching-Kuo Wu, said:
Dear President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Your Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev!
Dear President of the Azerbaijan Boxing Federation, Mr. Heydarov!
Dear guests, boxers, coaches, officials and guests of the 16th world boxing championship!
Baku is a highly important city. Many international tournaments have been held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. Among them, we want to highlight the youth world championship. Today Baku is playing host to the world boxing championship.
In fact, this is a very important part of the work we are doing in sports because this will be a special tournament. This is the road that leads to the forthcoming 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Since 2006, many reforms have been carried out and organizational changes made within our International Boxing Association (AIBA). The highest ideas for us are clean work, accuracy and transparency. All this forms the basis of the sporting events we conduct. We have done this work for the sole purpose of protecting the interests of sportsmen from all over the world and create a fair sport.
I want to take this opportunity to thank the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, on behalf of the International Boxing Association for the valuable support he provides for the development of boxing as well as many sports. Thank you very much, Mr. President!
Dear Mr. President, let me assure you that this world boxing championship will be held in accordance with the rules and high ideals of AIBA. AIBA will do its utmost for this tournament, which will be held at a high level on the basis of our principles, to be held at the proper level. I am fully confident that the fans of boxing will also be pleased with the level of this international tournament. I can assure all viewers that victory in the ring will be won only by the best. I wish all boxers success and happiness. In conclusion, let me say, “Thank you, Azerbaijan! Thank you, Baku!”.
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Speaking next, the President of the Boxing Federation of Azerbaijan, Kamaladdin Heydarov, said:
Dear Mr. President!
Dear guests, dear boxers, ladies and gentlemen!
Let me cordially salute and welcome all the guests who have come to Baku to attend the 2011 world boxing championship.
Considering the exceptional role of sports in the physical and spiritual education of man, nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev always kept the development of sports and other spheres of socioeconomic life in focus. He was particularly attentive to the health and physical education of youth. Thanks to the targeted measures towards development of sports taken by the President of the National Olympic Committee, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who has persistently continued this progressive attitude of the great leader, our country has become an international sports center.
Boxing is one of the most popular sports among Azerbaijani youth, it is an Olympic sport. Boxing in Azerbaijan has great historical traditions, we have made major international successes.
Expanding on these traditions and encouraged by the successes, our boxers perform well in international competitions and tournaments and protect the sporting glory to our motherland with honor. The construction, thanks to the care of the state, of training facilities that meet modern standards, the conduct of high level international competitions and tournaments in Azerbaijan, and the victories won by our boxers in international tournaments testify to the successful development of this sport in our country. On behalf of all our boxers, we are expressing deep appreciation to esteemed President Ilham Aliyev for the special attention and care he has been showing in the name of developing boxing in Azerbaijan.
These days Baku will be playing host to one of the most spectacular events under the auspices of AIBA. This competition will be joined by 570 boxers from 113 countries. The world boxing championship is considered one of the top sporting events and, of course, success in this competition is a dream for every boxer. The fact that licenses for the 2012 Olympic Games in London are also at stake further enhances interest in the championship.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the leadership of the International Boxing Association, personally Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu, for entrusting us the organization of such a significant event. I would also like to thank members of the International Olympic Committee who are present here today for coming to Baku to watch the competition. Let me welcome all the guests to Azerbaijan, the Land of Fire, and wish all the coaches and boxers the joy of victory, and fans an unforgettable competition. Thank you for your attention.
The 16th world boxing championship is declared open!
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The national anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was played.
Then championship officials gave pledges.
The official opening ceremony of the 16th world boxing championship ended with a concert.
