Islamabad, June 25, AZERTAC

Pakistan in the World newspaper has issued an article on the first European Games entitled “Baku 2015 -first European Games a big success for the leadership and the nation of Azerbaijan.”

Written by Tazeen Akhtar the article says: Baku-The 2015 European Games, also known as Baku 2015 or Baku 2015 European Games (Azerbaijani: Bakı 2015 Avropa Oyunları), are the inaugural edition of the European Games, an international multi-sport event for athletes representing the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) of Europe. It is currently taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 12 to 28 June 2015, and will feature more than 6,000 athletes from 50 NOCs competing in 20 sports.

Baku was awarded the right to host the first European Games at the 41st EOC General Assembly in Rome, on 8 December 2012. The European Games will take place every four years thereafter, with the next competition due to be held in 2019.

The decision was made as a result of secret balloting, where of 48 votes, 38 were in favor of the sole bidder for the event. Eight votes were against, and two more abstained from voting. The representatives of Armenia refused to take part in the voting.

The Organizing Committee responsible for the inaugural European Games in Baku was established by decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Committee is chaired by the First Lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva, member of the Executive Committee of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. Baku 2015 European Games Operations Committee (BEGOC) was established under the direction of the Chairperson of the Organizing Committee.

The Chief Executive Officer of BEGOC is Azad Rahimov, Minister of Youth and Sport while the Chief Operating Officer is Simon Clegg.

There are 4 clusters and 18 competition venues for inaugural European Games. Number of permanent venues is 12. Five of them are new builds such as, National Gymnastics Arena, BMX Velopark, Baku Aquatics Centre, Baku Shooting Centre and Olympic Stadium. There are 6 temporary venues such as, Water Polo Arena, Beach Arena, Basketball Arena, Mountain Bike Velopark, Triathlon, Cycling road race and time trial.

The Athletes Village is located in Nizami region of Baku. The village comprises 13 buildings, 16 different types of apartments with three to four bedrooms per apartment.

Gulu Kangarli

Special correspondent