TOP-16 table tennis tournament officially inaugurated in Baku
Baku, February 6, AZERTAC
An official opening ceremony of the TOP-16 table tennis tournament was held today in Azerbaijan`s capital Baku.
President of the Azerbaijan Table Tennis Federation Shahin Mustafayev, minister of youth and sport Azad Rahimov, president of the European Table Tennis Union Ronald Kramer attended the event.
Addressing the ceremony, minister Azad Rahimov said Azerbaijan is recognized as an important sport nation in the world. He said the country has successfully hosted international sport events in the past few years. The minister hailed President Ilham Aliyev`s attention to development of sport in the country. Mr. Rahimov expressed gratitude to the International Table Tennis Federation and European Table Tennis Union for “confidence they put in Azerbaijan related to the organization of the tournament”.
President of the European Table Tennis Union Ronald Kramer hailed the organization of the TOP-16 in Azerbaijan as an “important sport event”. He thanked the Azerbaijani government for “excellent organization”.
President of the Azerbaijan Table Tennis Federation Shahin Mustafayev said developing sport was among key priorities in the Azerbaijani President`s policy. In his speech, he also touched upon the upcoming first European Games and the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games.
Mr. Mustafayev said the TOP-16 tournament will see competition of 16 men and 16 women players, including Farhad Ismayilov and Maryam Imanova from Azerbaijan.
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