President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of the Olympic Sport Center in Gakh.

Azerbaijan is famous in the world also for its strong sporting traditions. The development of sport is a priority of public policy in our country. The construction of major sports centers both in the capital and the regions of Azerbaijan in recent years has demonstrated the sports potential of Azerbaijan and enhanced young people's interest in this area. First of all, it is a vivid example of the attention being paid by the head of state to the development of sports. President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly stated that the development of sport and the strengthening of its material and technical infrastructure have always been at the center of attention in Azerbaijan as one of the main directions of state policy.

The attention being paid to sportsmen by First Lady and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva is highly appreciated by sporting community. The successful activities of Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva as President of the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation have led to great achievements in this area. Azerbaijan is a country where sport enjoys tremendous popularity and the construction of Olympic centers and specialized sports facilities has become sustainable. The Gakh Olympic Sport Center has a special place among them. This center, one of the largest Olympic sport complexes in the region, has all the conditions for conducting competitions and organizing training and other activities.

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

The foundation of the complex was laid in a ceremony attended by President Ilham Aliyev on 19 September 2008. There are photo stands describing the visits of nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev to Gakh and their efforts to develop sport.

Youth and Sports Minister Azad Rahimov noted that special attention has been paid to the development of different sports in Gakh in recent years. A number of sports facilities have been commissioned, which has further increased young people’s interest in sport. It was indicated that the total construction area of the Gakh Olympic Sport Center is 9,220 square meters, construction proper has been carried out on an area of 6,498 square meters and an area of 8,000 square meters has been landscaped. The multi-purpose sports hall with a designed area of 3,655 square meters can accommodate 480 spectators.

There are two locker rooms, coaching and other rooms here. There is a youth information center, a registration department, a café for 40 people, a medical center, a supplies room, as well as ancillary facilities on the first floor of the office building. On the second floor there is a chess room, fitness gyms, billiards and table tennis rooms. The floors in the multi-purpose sports hall are made of a special material made by Danish company “Junkers”. The center has a swimming pool with 410 seats.

Also available on the second floor is a room for sportsmen’s recreation.

It was noted that five two-storey cottages had been built on the premises as well. Each cottage is equipped with modern furniture and consists of four rooms.

The President was informed that a football stadium with artificial turf had been built within the center. The stadium has a covered area for 1,000 seats, rooms for coaches and referees, and a modern lighting system. In addition, the complex has basketball, volleyball and tennis courts.

After reviewing the Olympic Sport Center, President Ilham Aliyev met with representatives of the local public.

Greeting representatives of the district public, President Ilham Aliyev said:

- It is a remarkable day in Gakh District today. We are gathered for the opening of the Olympic center.

It is a beautiful center. I have reviewed it and can see that it has all the opportunities. Young people and children will do sports here. The older generation also needs to use it because all the conditions are available. I know that the construction of an Olympic sport center was a long-time dream for the residents of Gakh, and this dream has been materialized. I am sure that the athletes who will train here will raise the sporting glory of Azerbaijan to new heights. This is where future Olympic and world champions will be brought up, contributing to the development of Azerbaijani sports.

Of course, the construction of such complexes promotes the popularity of sport. It goes without saying that we need champions and records. But, above all, young people should exercise to be healthy and lead a healthy lifestyle.

Therefore, such complexes are built in different parts of our country. There are already 39 Olympic centers in the regions of Azerbaijan. So now there is every opportunity in Gakh to do sports in excellent conditions. Today I will also take part in other activities. These activities also illustrate the overall development of the district. The district has very large potential for tourism. The effective use of this potential certainly requires comprehensive measures. Today we have also celebrated the opening of the Shaki-Gakh road. This road was built primarily for people’s comfort. At the same time, it significantly reduces the distance. So there are excellent opportunities for the development of tourism and shortening the distance between Baku and Gakh. This is a major investment project. A brand new road has been paved. So a drive to Gakh will become even more comfortable now. During the opening of the road another suggestion was put forward to build the Gakh-Zagatala road. This is possible. So we will probably incorporate that into the investment program for the next year.

While visiting here last time, I attended the opening of a new hotel. Today we are opening a Conference Center. This is also a very significant event. All the regions of Azerbaijan are hosting international conferences these days – of course, in Baku and, at the same time, in the regions. The Third Summit of the Cooperation Council of Turkic-speaking States was held in Gabala today. Hundreds of guests have arrived, including heads of state and members of their delegations. This event took place in a beautiful corner of Azerbaijan. There will come a time when the Conference Center of Gakh will also host international events. This first of all requires the necessary conditions – the infrastructure, roads and the service sector.

Gakh has a beautiful natural setting and an excellent climate. Of course, this means great potential for the development of tourism. Tourism opportunities throughout the north-western region of Azerbaijan are very broad. I am sure that even more extensive work will be done in this direction in the future. We have to take into account that major infrastructure projects are implemented in Gakh too. Today we will celebrate the completion of a drinking water project. As is the case in other districts, the problem of drinking water must have troubled the people of Gakh too. Drinking water projects have been implemented in several cities in the past week: in Kurdamir, Ismayilli, Oguz and now in Gakh. In other words, a problem that had existed in four cities for decades has been resolved over the course of two weeks. The solution of this problem also demonstrates the power of the Azerbaijani state and reflects the social nature of our government’s policies. I always note that investment in these projects is purely social in nature. The growing economic strength, Azerbaijan’s financial opportunities and, in general, the development ongoing in our country allow us the opportunity to implement these projects.

I can say that drinking water projects are the most important of all infrastructure projects. Drinking water means life and health. The drinking water supplied to Gakh meets high standards. I remember visiting Gakh last time and laying the foundation of this great project. I said back then that we would celebrate completion of this project together because the issues of drinking water, of course, are essential to the development of our country and the implementation of infrastructure projects.

Today, we will also celebrate the opening of the Heydar Aliyev Center in Gakh. This is also a very important event. When I was visiting Gakh in previous years, we discussed the projects of modernization and, at the same time, preservation of the ancient history of Gakh. The Icheribazar Street is a beautiful street, a project that is of great interest to both residents and visitors of the district. I then put forward the initiative to restore the ancient history of our old cities. The "Icheribazar" project is one such initiative. There have been such places and buildings along this street in our history – these are ancient buildings. They are protected, restored and are of interest to tourists.

The process of modernization of the district center is also progressing very successfully. I remember that the situation was completely different when I visited Gakh for the first time. When I was here last time, I saw improvement and creative work everywhere – trees are planted, roads are widening and buildings are being restored. This pleases me a lot, and I am sure you are pleased too. Because you live here, this is your home. I want Azerbaijani citizens, regardless of where they live, to live in prosperity and be happy. I want all the necessary conditions to be put in place. We are trying to create them – roads, water supply lines, gasification, social facilities, schools, etc.

The government of Azerbaijan always stands guard over the interests of our citizens. Life shows that. At the same time, the natural disasters we have encountered also show that when they occur, the Azerbaijani government does not abandon its citizens in distress and tries to resolve their problems. I can say that Azerbaijan is one of a handful of countries where houses are built for citizens at the expense of the state. Coming here in the aftermath of the earthquake, I said that the government would build houses and buildings better than the old ones. And it happened. In this region – in Zagatala, Gakh, Balakan, Shaki – the houses affected by the earthquake are being repaired. One can say that the vast majority of them have already been rebuilt. These are also the realities of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan is a modern state. Our economy rests on the principles of a market economy. But at the same time, we are a social state. A social state means that the human factor, citizens of Azerbaijan, their interests and well-being are at the heart of our policy. This is the objective behind the construction of such beautiful facilities. I am sure that this Olympic Center will serve the residents of Gakh well. I salute and congratulate you on this occasion again.

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Speaking on behalf of the district athletes, the winner of the World Cup in Combined Events held in Ukraine in 2010, Ramil Mammadov, expressed his deep gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for the attention to the development of sports in Azerbaijan in general and Gakh District in particular.

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President Ilham Aliyev: Your successes have always pleased us. Azerbaijan is already recognized worldwide as a sports country. Our flag is raised in all international events. At the recent Universiade, an international competition among student-athletes, our sportsmen finished in 15th place. These competitions were joined by about 200 countries. We won 16 medals. In the Olympic Games too, Azerbaijan is among the most advanced countries. Sport, of course, means health. At the same time, sport reinforces patriotic feelings. Our youth is and should be brought up in the spirit of patriotism. Our young people are growing up in the period of independence. Most of the athletes providing for our sporting successes were born in the years of independence. All of them were formed in the years of independence.

Every citizen of Azerbaijan sees the benefits of independence. This is a reality.

I said this last time, I have repeatedly stated this before and I will say it again today: never before in our history, at no point in the history of Azerbaijan has our country been so strong, so free and so independent! We did have statehood in different historical periods. There were also other symbols and state attributes. But today's independence is absolute.

This independence is our greatest asset and the biggest wealth. And our young people should be brought up exactly in this spirit. After all, the fate of the country will depend on them in the future. It will depend on their knowledge, patriotism and loyalty to the country. Our generation, the older generation, the middle-aged generation, should show an example for young people to follow in the future – the course of independence. In addition, in the years of independence so much has also been achieved in the international arena and in the economic sphere that every citizen feels legitimately proud.

There is development in all our regions and districts. I often visit the regions. This is my sixth visit to Gakh District in the past 10 years. I try to visit every district several times because it is necessary to monitor the work. At the same time, I have to review the work being done. Moreover, I believe that my trips are important to residents. They see that they are always in the focus of attention and that they are constantly in the spotlight. Everywhere there is development, creation and improvement. These trends are so strong already that there is a sound competition between districts. I support that.

I always say: try to advance further. I can say that the creative and landscaping work being done in Gakh have taken the district to the front ranks. You know that too. And it is thanks to you and your hard work.

Of course, the necessary funds will be allocated from the state budget in the future too. I believe that major infrastructure projects will be fully implemented in the near future. The water and sewage project has already been completed.

Gasification is ongoing. This should be followed by the construction of rural roads and the creation of jobs. There is still a need for the construction of schools. There are probably schools in Gakh District that are in poor condition. The third state program on the socioeconomic development of regions, to be adopted next year, will become the key document for the coming years. The next five-year development program is practically ready. It will be adopted early next year. This program will cover the years 2014-2018. It will reflect the outstanding problems in all our districts, including Gakh District.

And we will probably meet many more times in the future because there will be many more opening ceremonies. Once again, my greetings to all of you!

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Then a picture was taken as a souvenir.