MILITARY WORLD BOXING CHAMPIONSHIP KICKS OFF IN BAKU

Baku, 23 November,(AzerTAj) The 52nd Military World Boxing Championship started at
the Heydar Aliyev Sports and Concert Complex in Baku on Sunday.
Speaking to the opening ceremony, Safar Abiyev, Azerbaijan Defense Minister, offered
greetings and best wishes to participants on behalf of President Ilham Aliyev.

He highly praised the President`s contributions to developing sport in the country.
Abiyev touched upon Azerbaijan`s achievements on the international sport arena. The
Minister described the holding of the championship in Baku as demonstration of
Azerbaijan`s increasing international prestige.
Michel van Meurs, Secretary General of the International Military Sports Council
(CISM), praised the Azerbaijani government`s attention towards developing sport,
adding this will lead the country to greater achievements. “I hope the 52nd military
world boxing championship will be a success.” he said.
Azerbaijan`s Minister of Youth and Sport Azad Rahimov said development of sport in
Azerbaijan is linked with nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev whose policy, he added, is
today successfully continued by President Ilham Aliyev. The Minister said Azerbaijan
is making huge successes in hosting international tournaments.
Rahimov expressed confidence Azerbaijan`s boxers will display their best performance
during the competition.
The ceremony ended with a concert.
The tournament brings together nearly 120 boxers from Azerbaijan, Turkey, Ukraine,
US, Barbados, Belarus, Bulgaria, Algeria, France, India, Italy, Congo, Guinea,
Latvia, Egypt, Netherlands, Uzbekistan, Slovenia, and Sri Lanka.