SPORTS
Gabala hosts official opening ceremony of ISSF World Cup Final VIDEO
Gabala, August 8, AZERTAC
An official opening ceremony of International Sport Shooting Federation (ISSF) World Cup Final has kicked off in Gabala.
The event heard speeches of President of Gabala Sport Club Tale Heydarov, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Ismayil Ismayilov, Head of the Gabala District Executive Power Sabuhi Abdullayev, Vice-President of Azerbaijan Shooting Federation Hafiz Jafarov, President of the International Sport Shooting Federation Olegario Vazquez Rana and Secretary General Franz Schreiber.
Tale Heydarov praised Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's supporting the development of sports in the country, saying “thanks to this support Baku successfully hosted the first ever European Games”.
“Hosting ISSF World Cup in Gabala which is the largest sport event after the European Games, also was possible thanks to successful sports policy of the country. I believe that this world cup will contribute to promoting Gabala in the world,” he added.
ISSF President Olegario Vazquez Rana said that ISSF World Cup held in Gabala last year and now, World and European Championships in various sports, including the first European Games were excellently organized: " We are closely following these prestigious events and I can say that Azerbaijan has already gained enormous experience in organizing world-class sporting events. I love Azerbaijani people very much and I know this country attaches great importance to sports. Our federation will back Azerbaijan`s Olympic Games bid in the future.”
Following the speeches President of ISSF Olegario Vazquez Rana declared the World Cup officially open.
Jointly organized by the National Olympic Committee, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Gabala Shooting Club, Azerbaijani Shooting Federation, ISSF World Cup Final brings together nearly 2,000 athletes from 100 countries, as well as official guests and representatives.
Gabala's World Cup is also an Olympic qualifier event, with 34 Olympic quotas up for grabs as the countdown to Rio 2016 marks the 1-year-to-go milestone.
Official TV channel ISSF TV will provide live coverage of the competition.