European Games to raise Azerbaijan’s profile worldwide

/By AzerNews/

By Sara Rajabova

The first European Games in Azerbaijan will defiantly raise the profile of the country and its people.

Ryan Windsor, founder of Windsor Property Group and Windsor Investments, non executive director of Keystone Development Trust and Mentor on Cambridge Judge Business Schools Social Venture Program made the remarks in his interview with Day.Az website.

He said Azerbaijan’s image is becoming more well-known because of the work it is doing across Europe and especially in the growing importance of the oil and gas sector. However, he said, that it is really the Games which will put Azerbaijan on the world map.

“A few years ago I had not heard of Azerbaijan, but now I’m beginning to hear it in more conversations which is nice,” Windsor said.

He said he has witnessed some great developments in Baku and would love to see more and for more people to go and enjoy the sites and culture.

“These Games are a great platform for this and I know we will be hearing a lot more of what Azerbaijan has to offer in terms of international events and tourism,” Windsor underlined.

He also expressed his expectations from the upcoming Games, to attract athletes and guests from across Europe to the Land of Fire on June 12-28.

“Personally I’m really excited. It’s about time Europe got its own Games! And I’m really pleased that Azerbaijan will be hosting the first European Games as I feel visitors will get a great Azeri welcome and enjoy a lot of what Baku has to offer!” Windsor said.

He went on to say that the country is doing some great things to support and promote its culture, young people and open-mindedness to the rest of the world and especially Europe.

“I think the committees, event staff and volunteers deserve massive congratulations. Many events this size normally have years to plan and get ready and you only had 30 months. So, overall I’m really interested in seeing the Games, especially the opening and closing ceremonies,” Windsor said.

He also spoke about the recent western anti-Azerbaijani campaign linked with the European Games, noting that there will always be the ones who say negative things.

“I really can’t explain the anti- Azerbaijani campaign. I personally have not heard anything negative but in anything you do there will always be those who want to say negative things. I would only hope that before, during and after the Games people will see what this event is really about - celebrating sports and bringing people together. There will be a positive outlook on both this event and Azerbaijan,” Windsor said.

Commenting on the issue that a number of organizations have signed a joint letter to Lord Sebastian Coe of the British Olympic Association, “to highlight violations against freedom of expression and threats to human rights defenders in Azerbaijan ahead of the European Games”, Windsor ruled out these claims as baseless.

“I have read the letter and they make some interesting points. I can’t comment on the validity of what they have mentioned but if there was any “violations against freedom” I’m sure such a reputable organization such as the British Olympic Association and such an upstanding gentleman as Lord Coe would have found out and stopped the event from being hosted in Azerbaijan. Since this did not happen I can only assume there is no hard proof to support these claims,” he said.

Baku 2015 is the first-ever European Games, an exciting and innovative multi-sport event for the continent that will take place on June 12-28, 2015.

There will be a total of 20 sports at Baku 2015: 16 Olympic sports and four non-Olympic sports. More than 6,000 athletes from across Europe will be representing their nations over 17 days of competition.

Baku was awarded the Games by the European Olympic Committees in December 2012.