On 9 July, President of the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan, MP Ilham Aliyev received the chairperson of the Organizational Committee of the World Juniors and Girls Chess Champ-2003 held in Nakhchivan from June 22 to July 3, president of the Azrebaijan Chess Federation (ACF), MP Aynur Sofiyeva, General Referee of the contests Faig Hasanov, head coach of the chess national team of Azerbaijan Fikret Sideyifzade, gold medallist of the Champ Shahriyar Mammadyarov, bronze medallist Zeynab Mammadyarova, their parent Hamid Mammadyarov and the winner of the license to the chess world championship for men Gadir Huseynov. Greeting the guests, president of NOC Ilham Aliyev congratulated the chess players with the success, emphasized that the World Champ was of great significance and that such international and countrywide contests could be organized not only in Baku, but also in the provinces of the Republic. For this purpose, there are many sports complexes in the Country, the President said.Highly appreciating the organizing of these contests in the blockaded Nakhchivan, president of the NOC said this would promote development of chess in the Republic.President of Azerbaijan NOC expressed his gratitude for worthily representing the Republic of Azerbaijan in this international competition, stressing that chess potential of the country was great. He in particular underlined the names of Shariyar and Zeynab Mammadyarovs, who won gold and bronze medals among the 80 chess players from 32 world countries.Speaking at the reception, the ACF president, chairperson of the Organizational Committee of the World Juniors and Girls Chess Champ-2003, MP Aynur Sofiyeva, General Referee of the contests Faig Hasanov expressed their gratitude for sports in the Country, on today’s high level of attention for sports generally. They especially noted the hospitality of the leadership of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, and assured that would further do the best to glorify the Republic of Azerbaijan.President of NOC spoke of his good business links with the International Chess Federation, as well as with all the sports federations, dwelt on the plans to develop sports in the Country.Bronze medallist of the Champ Zeynab Mammadyarova, on behalf of the chess players and her family expressed gratitude to the leadership of the National Olympic Committee, noting they were proud of this success and said that this was their present to the 80th jubilee of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev. President of NOC Ilham Aliyev and the participants of the meeting were photographed in memory.