AGF among FIG's meritorious federations

/By Azernews/

By Amina Nazarli

Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation, one of the most successful organizations in the country’s sporting sphere, has once again entered the rating list of meritorious federations.

The Federation has been distinguished by the International Federation of Gymnastics (FIG) for the second year in a row.

The rating list was defined at the Ordinary Meeting of the FIG Executive Committee held at its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland on February 24-25.

The annual award program is established to distinguish the federations based on their international activities including participation in World Cup and at least at 10 World Cup series, FIG Congress, FIG Symposium, FIG Academies for coaches, Gymnaestrada and etc., and the respect of deadlines for all the above mentioned events.

Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation, which was founded in 1956, has experienced revival since 2002 and the renewed federation lifted this popular sport to a new level.

Thanks to a high-level and dynamic activity of the Federation, Azerbaijani gymnastics has been able to break into the world sporting arena.

Having highly appreciated the work carried out by Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation within such a short period, FIG had made a decision at its Congress in Athens in 2003 to hold World Cup series of Category A in Baku.

The FIG officials also gave their consent to hold the World Cup and the World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Baku in 2004 and in 2005 accordingly, which were the first World Championships in the Olympic discipline held in the country.

Following the organization of the World Championships at the high level, Azerbaijan was entrusted to hold the European Championships in 2007, the European Championships in 2009 for the second time.

The year of 2014 became a new stage in development of Rhythmic Gymnastics, Trampoline Gymnastics and Aerobic Gymnastics in the country, and what is more the capital opened the grand 9,000-seat National Gymnastics Arena, designed to host all gymnastics disciplines.

Last month AGF hosted the biggest sporting event -- FIG Challenge Cup 2016 in Artistic Gymnastics welcoming world's 146 best gymnasts. On this weekend the arena will also host another grandiose event, FIG World Cup in Trampoline Gymnastics, bringing together 77 gymnasts from 17 countries

In 2019, the federation will welcome the World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships.

Today, Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation includes six gymnastics disciplines such as Rhythmic Gymnastics, Men’s Artistic Gymnastics, Women’s Artistic Gymnastics, Trampoline Gymnastics and Tumbling Acrobatic Gymnastics Aerobic Gymnastics.

Year by year the national gymnasts gain more and more hauls and 2015 became the most successful year for this graceful sport, as the country gained 157 medals, compared to 114 medals gained a year earlier.

Now all national athletes are preparing for 2016, which seems to be not an easy one. The national athletes will take part in different international events, the European and World Championships, and most importantly Marina Durunda and Oleg Stepko obtained a license to compete at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics.