President: Azerbaijan famous as sports power in world

Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 20 / Trend / Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva attended the opening ceremony of the Olympic sports complex in Sumgait on Monday. Flowers were presented to Azerbaijani First Lady, president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva. The President and his spouse were informed that the complex was built in accordance with the Azerbaijani President's instructions upon the Youth and Sports Ministry's order. A three hectare land plot was allotted to construct the complex in the 17th microdistrict of the city. The construction started in 2007. The Head of State cut a ribbon symbolizing the opening of the facility. A photo stand was created in the lobby of the complex. It reflects Azerbaijani national leader Heydar Aliyev's and President Ilham Aliyev's care and attention to the development of sports and sportsmen in Azerbaijan. The modern equipment was installed in the gym hall and weightlifting complex hall, as well as a shooting gallery to train youth. It will be possible to conduct various training and other events in the cinema hall. A modern swimming pool, allowing holding various competitions was built in the complex. Separate checkrooms, showers, saunas, massage rooms, and other technical facilities were created for the weightlifting hall, swimming pool and gym. In accordance with the general plan, a football area was created with artificial covering with a length of 65 meters and a width of 40 meters. A racetrack with a length of 110 meters, open basketball and volleyball areas, a tennis court were also created. The extensive landscaping work was conducted in the territory. President Ilham Aliyev and Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva also viewed the 3-storey hotel in the Complex. It was reported that the hotel is designed for 42 rooms. All opportunities were created for visitors in 17 double, 7 single rooms and luxury room. The most modern dining room will operate in the hotel. The President and his spouse were presented a catalogue reflecting national sports costumes of Azerbaijan`s Olympic athletes. A universal gym with a total area of ​​2,160 square meters and 800 seats allows holding large-scale international and local competitions. All the conditions were created in the hall with a length of 47.6 meters and a width of 23.3 meters to go in for basketball, volleyball and other kinds of sports. There will be table tennis and billiards on the second floor of the complex. After familiarizing with the Sumgait Olympic sports complex, President Aliyev met with representatives of the sports community and Sumgait people in connection with the results of 2011 sports year. Sportsmen and Sumgait people warmly welcomed the Azerbaijani President and his spouse. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev welcomed the participants of the ceremony. "The year of 2011 was successful for Azerbaijani sport," he said. "Our sportsmen have achieved great victories in various international competitions. We have won over 700 medals. This process continues successfully. I hope that 2012 will also be successful for our sport. The Olympic Games will take place in 2012. We wish our sportsmen to win Olympic games." Sport is a very important sphere to develop each country, the president said. "I am very glad that sport is developing successfully in Azerbaijan," the president said. "Azerbaijan is known worldwide as a sports power. The victories of our sportsmen make us happy. Azerbaijan's sports glory is at a high level. The international sports competitions, including the world boxing championship were held in 2011." He said the new sports complexes have been put into operation in the regions this year. Four Olympic sports complex were built in Tovuz, Imishli, Gabala and Sumgait. At present, about 10 Olympic sports complexes are being constructed or prepared for construction. "2012 is the Olympic year," the president said. "The world football championship among girls will be held in Azerbaijan in 2012. This will be a large, impressive competition. The repair operations are being conducted on the Tofiq Bahramov Republican stadium to conduct the competition at a high level. We will begin repairing the Sumgayit city stadium soon. The stadiums are being built in other cities. That is, Azerbaijan asserted itself in the world as a sports country. This is the result of the conducted work." He expressed hope that Azerbaijan will demonstrate great success at the Olympics games. "There is enough evidence to say this," he said. "Our sportsmen have recently achieved victories in the World and European championships. Today, special attention is paid to Azerbaijani sportsmen. Our activity in the international Olympic family is also appreciated." Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at agency@trend.az