Baku to host Global Forum of Young Leaders of Special Olympics Movement

By Azernews

By Kamila Aliyeva

A memorandum on holding the Global Forum of Young Leaders of the Special Olympics Movement has been signed in Baku. 

The signing ceremony was attended by Azerbaijani Minister of Youth and Sports Azad Rahimov, President of Special Olympics Europe Eurasia David Evangelista, President of the Special Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan Shahin Aliyev, MPs, and others.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Azad Rahimov said Azerbaijan is recognized in the world as a sporting country.

“I am proud to announce that the Global Forum of Young Leaders of the Special Olympics Movement will be held in Baku on September 24-28, 2018,” he said.

The forum will give great strength to people who feel isolated from society. The event will be attended by about 300 representatives of youth from 30 countries. The Special Olympics Movement will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year.

Noting that he feels proud of his stay in Azerbaijan, Evangelista expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva for attention and concern for the development of sport in the country.

He stressed that Baku is an excellent place for this grandiose project, whose wonderful results will be unforgettable.

“This event, dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the structure, will be remembered by an important appeal. We call on the representatives of the intelligentsia, young leaders, cultural figures to take full advantage of the potential of young people to promote inclusiveness,” Evangelista noted.

The event also featured a video about the activities of the Special Olympic Movement.

The five-day forum is supported by the Azerbaijani government. The event will give impetus to strengthening attention in this field in the participating countries. It also stimulates the implementation of youth social projects within the framework of the Special Olympic Movement. The Special Olympic Movement, which dates back to 1968, unites about 5 million members, partners from 170 countries.

The Special Olympic Movement in Azerbaijan, founded in 1990, today unites about 5,000 athletes who take part in various competitions.