President of Azerbaijan, President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) Ilham Aliyev attended on December 26 a ceremony of giving awards to sportspersons, couches and sports experts for their achievements in 2006.

The President first familiarized himself with an exhibition entitled “History of Olympic Movement: from Antiquity to Present” arranged in the lobby of the NOC Headquarters.

The exhibition presented photographs reflecting Azerbaijan’s sports achievements, medals won by Azerbaijan sportsmen at the Olympic games, cups and other prizes, as well as books, magazines, papers and postage stamps related to the international Olympic movement.

Afterwards, President Ilham Aliyev made a speech at the conference hall of the NOC’s Executive Committee.

“All sports have been developed in Azerbaijan. Sports societies, organizations, federations, the National Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Youth and Sport have been working, as always, as a single team in 2006. This is the main factor, the main reason that has ensured the success of Azerbaijan gained in sports in the recent years,” he said in particular.

“First of all, we are very pleased with our sportsmen’s successes in international tournaments: 2087 medals is a great achievement,” the President added.

“Increasing sports glory, support for sportsmen and their role in society, are of course, what encourages children to go in for sport. It is a very important factor,” he underlined.

On development of sports infrastructure in the county, the President said: “Excellent sports complexes have been built in various regions of Azerbaijan since 2000. Construction of the world class new ones are now in progress in 10 regions,” the Head of State said.

He noted that sport, in particular, the Olympic movement is now being looked at through a new prism. “Countries compete with each other through the Olympic games. Azerbaijan is an active participator in the Olympic movement. Our efforts, initiatives and achievements have been often mentioned by the world’s and Europe’s Olympic comities,” he said.

The President described the fact that Azerbaijan had hosted a number of major international tournaments, as a demonstration of the sports world’s attitude to our country, adding the 2007 will be significant in this sense. “Azerbaijan is to host the world championship in all forms of wrestling, and European championship in Rhythmic Gymnastics,” he said. The President also pointed out the significance of the year 2007 in terms of preparation for the Beijing Summer Olympics, and expressed confidence that Azerbaijan athletes will show good results in the competitions.

“I believe that Azerbaijan is fully capable of hosting Olympic games. It is still a question where the 2016 Games will took place, and Azerbaijan is among other pretenders to host them,” the President said expressing the confidence that if Azerbaijan is given the honor of doing that, it will organize the Olympic games at a highest possible level.

In conclusion, the Head of State congratulated the present representatives of the Azerbaijan sport on the World Azerbaijanians Solidarity Day, and wished them a Happy New Year, as well as good health and success in the coming 2007.

After that, there was an award giving ceremony, at which President Ilham Aliyev presented the distinguished sportspersons, couches and sports experts with flat licenses.