President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of the Shirvan Olympic Sports Center.
The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the Center.
The foundation of the Center was laid during a visit of President Ilham Aliyev to Shirvan in April 2010.
Youth and Sports Minister Azad Rahimov told the President that the courtyard of the Olympic Sports Center, which covers an area of 4.5 hectares, has been extensively landscaped. The Center has all the facilities for many sports. In the lobby of the main building there is a stand describing the care of nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev about athletes, and his visits to the city of Shirvan in the Soviet period and in the years of independence. Particularly interesting are the photographs documenting the attention of President Ilham Aliyev to the development of sports and the President’s visits to Shirvan.
It was noted that the Olympic Sports Center would operate a 20-room modern hotel for 44 people. It is well placed to organize the stay and recreation of visiting athletes. The canteen of the Center also meets modern requirements.
While reviewing the Center, President Ilham Aliyev was informed about the major overhaul and reconstruction of the Museum of the Olympic movement and the Palace of Hand Games.
The President was informed that the Center has a conference room for various activities and offices. It will operate a modern exercise equipment gym, rooms for judo, wrestling and boxing, a sauna, and a billiards room. The games hall is designed for 980 spectators. Athletes can engage in mini-football, volleyball and basketball here. It will also be possible to carry out sports activities of both local and international importance. The 50-meter swimming pool has also been built at a modern level. The Center includes a football stadium for 1,020 seats, as well as playgrounds for mini-football and basketball.
President Ilham Aliyev praised the work done at the Shirvan Olympic Sports Center.
We note that with the start of a new stage in the Olympic movement in Azerbaijan in 1997, our country entered the world sports family. Azerbaijan has ensured rapid development of this sector and become a popular venue for sporting events of international importance.
In line with the strategy being implemented under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev since 2003, sport has become a priority of public policy in the country. Important steps have been taken to further strengthen the status of sports in our country. The characteristic features of this period have been the establishment of an advanced sports infrastructure, the adoption of national programs on the development of sports and the implementation of effective measures to address social problems of athletes. First of all, the construction of modern sports facilities and Olympic centers meeting international standards has started throughout the country, including the regions. The attention of President Ilham Aliyev to the development of this sphere, the goal of raising a generation of athletes and promoting the popularity of sports have paved the way for the achievements of our athletes in international competitions. The victorious path of Azerbaijani athletes began with the Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta and was continued in Sydney, Athens, Beijing and London, where excellent results were achieved. Thus, Azerbaijan has become one of the biggest sports centers in the world. Thanks to the efforts of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan has earned a great reputation in the world of sports. The decision to hold the inaugural European Games in Baku in 2015 is an indicator of the confidence in the sports policy of our country. There is no doubt that Azerbaijan will successfully host the Games and further strengthen its status as a sports nation.
