'Baku ups its profile and credentials as sporting event destination'

UEFA’s selection of Baku to host the UEFA European Under-17 Championship for men in 2016 is another key milestone in the development of ‘Event Azerbaijan’, a new government department tasked with bringing sports and non-sport events to the country.

Konul Nurullayeva, CEO of the Baku Bid to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, said: “There has been a steady and sustainable increase in the number and quality of international sports events hosted both in Baku and across the country in recent years. This has involved a range of sports, including parasports, demonstrating that Azerbaijan – and specifically Baku – is increasing its profile and credentials as a sporting event destination.

She added: “Azerbaijan is developing a strategy during 2012 to attract many more international events to the country through the creation of Event Azerbaijan, which will be a discrete department in the Ministry of Youth and Sports. This latest announcement is a real boost.”

From 2015, the UEFA U-17 finals will change from the current eight-country tournament to one with 16 teams. Azerbaijan is one of the first countries to be awarded the honour of organising the expanded event.
Baku is currently making final preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup which takes place in September this year.

Elkhan Mammadov, Secretary General of the Azerbaijan Football Federation (AFFA) and a member of the Baku 2020 Bid Committee, who is responsible for overseeing preparations for the U-17 FIFA Women’s Cup, commented: “Football is one of the most popular sports in our country and we are tremendously proud to stage yet another football Championship. It is very rewarding that we are entrusted with the organisation and hosting of this European top event – and it is another key step in our nationwide strategy, which is exemplified by the creation of Event Azerbaijan.”

“We very much look forward to hosting the young women in September and the young men in 2016 and to present these youngsters from around the world with a true picture of Azerbaijan’s culture, hospitality and sporting spirit.”

“Together we can develop, inspire and empower millions of young sportsmen and women and so enable our country to realise its true sporting potential”, he added.


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