Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of the Saatli Olympic Sports Center
29 August 2013, 19:55
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of the Saatli Olympic Sports Center.
The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the Center.
It was noted that the construction of the Saatli Olympic Sports Complex had started in December 2011. Initially, 1 million manats was allocated from the Contingency Fund of the President for the construction of the Sports Center on the order of the President of the Azerbaijan Republic "On the construction of the Olympic Sports Center and a Youth Centre in Saatli". Last year, another 2 million manats was allocated by a decision of the Cabinet of Ministers and a further 5 million manats was allocated in 2013 in accordance with the investment program. The Center has all the conditions for conducting a variety of competitions, training camps and other activities.
The President reviewed the swimming pool.
It was noted that a Turkish swimming pool system and a special moisture-absorbing device manufactured by “Gonka Klima” were installed at the Center. The pool can seat 200 spectators, has two dressing rooms and showers.
Five two-storey cottages have also been built on the premises of the Center. Each cottage has four rooms.
In the lobby of the public area of the Olympic Sports Center there is a photo stand describing the visits of nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev to Saatli and their attention to the development of sports.
It was noted that an area of 6 hectares has been allotted for construction activities.
The cost estimate documentation has been prepared by "Sosial Inkishaf Lahiye" Limited Liability Company. According to the project, the universal gym with a total area of 3,340 square meters has 432 seats. Also, 400 spectators can watch competitions from the box. There are two changing rooms for athletes, coaching and utility rooms. On the first floor of the office building there is a spacious lobby, an information center, a registration section and a recreation room. There are fitness rooms, cafés, offices, a conference room and a wrestling gym on the second floor. The construction of an outdoor 900-seat stadium, a tennis court and a basketball court will be completed before the end of this year.
After the opening of the Olympic Sports Center, President Ilham Aliyev met with representatives of the Saatli District public.
Congratulating representatives of the district public and sportsmen on the opening of the Olympic Sports Center, President Ilham Aliyev said:
- I warmly salute all of you! An Olympic Center is opening in Saatli. It is a great event indeed! I congratulate you on this wonderful occasion. It is a wonderful center with all the facilities to do sports. I am sure that young people will effectively use this Center and that the Center will also be used by children. Of course, it is necessary to set up sports clubs here, so that residents could make the best use of it. There is every opportunity to do sports here.
Sport means health and a healthy lifestyle. We have been able to popularize sport in Azerbaijan. Scores of children and young people do sports and then worthily represent our country in international competitions. Our athletes have achieved great success. We have made great achievements in the Olympics. Azerbaijan finished in 16th place among teams at the recent Universiade. This shows that young athletes and sports professionals always gratify us and make Azerbaijan known in the world as a sporting nation.
Of course, to achieve this, there must be suitable conditions. This is why we are building Olympic Sports Centers in the regions, and today we are gathered for the opening of one such center in Saatli. This is a truly great event, and every time I visit Saatli, we attend the opening of a facility. I have repeatedly visited Saatli District and can see that there is development and improvement here. Creative work is under way. Roads and buildings are under construction. This makes me happy, because the development of every district contributes to the overall development of our country. The development of each district improves the living conditions here. New opportunities, new jobs and new businesses are opening up. Appropriate instructions have been issued in connection with the development of Saatli and funds have been allocated. Funding will continue to be provided, so that work could go even faster here.
We are now completing the construction of the highway linking Baku with Saatli. Its remaining section will be built in the coming weeks, making it possible to drive from Saatli to Baku and other regions comfortably. I know that the old road always bothered people. I have also driven down it several times and can see now that the road to Sabirabad meets the latest standards. The construction of the remaining section of the road to Saatli is drawing to an end. Rural roads are built as well. Today we celebrated the opening of a rural road. Tens of thousands of people live there. Thus, rural roads, highways and other infrastructure projects are implemented in Saatli.
A water supply project will be implemented at the next stage. I know that there is a great need for that. In previous years, modular water treatment plants were installed in some villages. But by the end of this year we should start work on sustainable provision of Saatli with drinking water. I believe that this project will be completed within one year, which will make it possible to provide the city of Saatli with quality drinking water on a round-the-clock basis. This is a huge project, a project that requires a lot of money. But the Azerbaijani government is doing and will do it because water means life and health, while clean and quality water means a healthy life.
An Olympic center, a hospital, a water supply project – these are social projects that are implemented in the interests of public health. Funds are allocated for them. The state investment program envisages funds for the comfort of those living in the countryside. The entire work should be carried out in accordance with the highest standards.
The gasification project in Saatli must be implemented as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the city is not completely gasified yet. This is unacceptable. Most of our cities are provided with gas by 100 per cent. Relevant agencies should ensure gas supply of Saatli as soon as possible. First of all, the city must be completely gasified. Gas lines must be laid to all the villages of Saatli.
Such an instruction has been given. And I believe that after these words relevant entities will approach this work more responsibly and not commit unjustified delays.
Thus, as a result of the implementation of all infrastructure projects, a whole new period will start. We are taking all the necessary steps to ensure people’s comfort. We are creating jobs. The state investment program envisages appropriate measures on the development of Saatli. Additional measures will be taken to develop agriculture. I am told that your yield and grain yield figures are very high, much higher than elsewhere in the country. This is a very good indicator. We must and will develop agriculture, livestock breeding and other spheres here. In parallel with this, we need to fully implement all social infrastructure projects. The steps taken in this direction are commendable – the hospital, the Olympic Center, roads and other infrastructure projects. However, there is still a lot to be done in schools. Saatli District still has schools in emergency condition. They will also be renovated.
In short, there is a specific action plan for each district, including Saatli. The second state program on the development of regions will be completed at the end of this year and the third program will be adopted next year. The outstanding issues will be incorporated into the third state program and completely resolved over the next five years.
I greet all of you again. And congratulations on the opening of such a wonderful Olympic Center!
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Speaking on behalf of the local residents, coach and secondary school teacher from the Narimankand village, Khayal Ahmadov, expressed his deep gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for the development of Azerbaijani sports and the attention being paid to Saatli District.
