President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of the Khachmaz Olympic sports center.

The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the center.

President Ilham Aliyev was informed that this was the 38th Olympic sports center to be commissioned in the country.

It was noted that the construction of the center had begun in late 2010. A plot of land of 6 hectares was allocated for the construction of the building. The courtyard of the center has been extensively landscaped and all the conditions created for a variety of sports. Outside the center there is a 1,020-seat stadium, as well as playgrounds for mini-football and basketball. Azerbaijan's first Skate Park operates at the Khachmaz Olympic sports center.

In the lobby of the building there is a photo stand reflecting the care and attention of nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev about athletes, as well as his visits to Khachmaz in the Soviet period and in the years of independence. Of great interest are also photos reflecting the attention of President Ilham Aliyev to the development of sports and his visits to the district.

President Ilham Aliyev reviewed the swimming pool of the center. It was noted that the length of the pool for adults is 25 meters and for children 10 meters. There is also a special desiccant unit here. The center operates a modern canteen.

It was noted that the gym of the center is designed for 750 people. The gym has all the conditions for practicing mini-football, volleyball and basketball. It is possible to conduct sports events of local and international importance here. The wrestling hall of the center has been constructed in accordance with the standards of the International Wrestling Federation. Also at the disposal of athletes are aerobics and fitness rooms fully fitted with modern exercise equipment.

The center has a hotel for 18 double rooms and three two-bedroom suites. The hotel has all the facilities for a comfortable stay of athletes and guests.

After reviewing the center President Ilham Aliyev met with representatives of the local public.

Saluting the members of the Khachmaz public, President Ilham Aliyev said:

- I am very pleased to see you again. As you know, I have repeatedly visited Khachmaz. Over the past years this is my sixth visit as President, and every time I come here, I am glad that things in Khachmaz are going very well.

The city is becoming prettier and improving, a great job is being done and beautiful buildings are emerging. This magnificent Olympic sports center, of course, will earn a place among them. I am glad that this center offers extensive opportunities. Both athletes and district residents spend their time here.

Of course, the development of sports in Azerbaijan is progressing fast, and the establishment of such facilities contributes to the popularity of sports. But at the same time, ordinary citizens also have to do sports because sport means health and a healthy lifestyle. The construction of such centers creates such opportunities. There are swimming pools, outdoor areas, gyms and fitness rooms here. So young people, children, teenagers and the elderly should take advantage of that.

The construction of a large Olympic center in Khachmaz was a must. There already are such centers in other cities and this is the 38th center. This indicates that all regions of the country now have good opportunities to do sports. Our athletes also make us happy. In the recent Universiade our athletes have achieved a great success by finishing in 15th place. We have won 16 medals, finished in ninth place among European countries and in first among Muslim nations. In last year's Summer Olympics in London, our athletes won a historic victory. In other words, sport in Azerbaijan is developing rapidly and comprehensively, and Azerbaijan is known in the world as a sporting nation now.

Of course, these opportunities are necessary for popularizing sports and training young professionals. This center meets the highest international standards and has all the conditions for doing sports. In addition, it adorns the city of Khachmaz.

Last time I was in Khachmaz, I saw that extensive creative work was under way here, that parks are being set up.

Khachmaz is a city of parks now. Beautiful monuments are emerging. Today we celebrated the opening of a local history museum. It is a majestic building which is also beautiful from an architectural point of view. Its interior design is very good as well. I can say that it has a special place among historical and ethnographic museums that are available in our regions and I will probably not be wrong in saying that it is the biggest and most beautiful of them.

Today, we will also open a regional development center for supporting private enterprise. There is a great need for that too. It is no coincidence that this center has been established precisely in Khachmaz. After all, Khachmaz is the biggest district in this region and has great opportunities, including those for the development of private enterprise. Therefore, the center for regional development will expand business opportunities in this area. There is a great need for that, because in the future our economy will depend more on the activities of businesses.

While reviewing the results of six months of this year at a regular meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers yesterday, we saw again that our economy is growing rapidly and that the non-oil sector and private enterprise are developing. Regional development is a reality. We see this in the example of Khachmaz. In comparison with previous periods, we are observing great development and tremendous progress. Social facilities are built. When I was here last time, we celebrated the opening of the central hospital after major overhaul.

Other opening ceremonies had been held in previous years. I remember that the first modular power station was built in Khachmaz. So infrastructure projects are being implemented. The gasification process is powering ahead. It is possible to say that most settlements of this district now have gas supply. A water supply project has begun. Work is already under way. Perhaps next year, maybe in 2015, the problems with drinking water in Khachmaz will be completely resolved and clean drinking water will be supplied on a round-the-clock basis.

The implementation of infrastructure projects is the main problem facing the country as a whole. There is a special program for each district. We do all the work in a planned manner. We see excellent results within the framework of the state program on the socioeconomic development of regions. The results are obvious – new buildings, parks, roads, gas and water lines. The development of Azerbaijan is going in this direction. I am glad that this work is done at a high level in such a large district as Khachmaz.

We have specific ideas in relation to future work in the following years. At the beginning of next year we will adopt the third regional development program. It is true that as a result of the implementation of the first two programs, most of the problems have been resolved, in particular, as regards infrastructure projects. But there is still a lot to do.

The construction of rural roads will probably be a priority for the next five years. The construction of schools is in full swing. But there are still schools that are in disrepair and in emergency condition. In the next five years this issue, of course, must be fully resolved. Additional measures will be taken to establish and renovate health facilities. In other words, life goes on. We have resolved many issues but there are still issues waiting to be addressed. We will gradually and consistently resolve them. We will continue to ensure the dynamic development of our country.

Residents: Thank you very much!