OFFICIAL NEWS
SOLEMN OPENING OF “ABU ARENA” SPORTS COMPLEX IN BAKU
PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV ATTENDS THE CEREMONY
Present at the ceremony was President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.
The ceremony participants gathered in front of the Complex sincerely greeted the Head of State and presented him a bouquet of flowers.
President Ilham Aliyev and Vice-president of the International Olympic Committee Vitaliy Smirnov cut the red ribbon symbolizing opening of this grandiose sports object, and familiarized themselves closely with the “Abu Arena” hotel and complex.
All favorable conditions for hosting most high-level handball tournaments have been created at the complex build in a year by Azerbaijan Handball Federation and sport club “Abu”.
President Ilham Aliyev expressed satisfaction with the conditions created for athletes, viewed swimming pool, conference hall, and photo expositions reflecting attention and concern by the national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev to development of sports, and history of the Azerbaijan Handball Federation, activities of the National Olympic Committee, and cups and awards gained by Azerbaijani sportsmen.
Afterwards, a solemn ceremony of the Abu Arena Complex’s opening was held.
Athletes, citizens of the capital and representatives of the public gathered at the complex decorated with posters saying founder of modern Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev’s “We have to turn physical culture and sports in our country into nationwide movement” and President Ilham Aliyev’s “Today, Azerbaijani sport experiences its new revival” greeted the Head of Azerbaijan with a storm of applauses.
Addressing the ceremony were President of Azerbaijan Handball Federation Heydar Babayev, Hanball Olympic Champion Rafiga Shabanova and Vice-President of the International Olympic Committee Vitaliy Smirnov. The latter conferred “Olympic Order” upon the Head of Azerbaijan State.
After that, President of Azerbaijan took the floor.