Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec.12 /Trend E. Mehdiyev/
The decision to hold the first European Olympic Games in Baku is a great event for the state and the people of Azerbaijan, first vice-president of the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA), MP Rauf Aliyev told Trend.
"I would like to congratulate the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Azerbaijani people on this occasion. This decision is very important for Azerbaijan. It shows that Azerbaijan has a good image on the international scene. Azerbaijan organized a lot of European and World Championships, a contest Eurovision. All of these activities were organized on a very high level," Aliyev said.
He noted that granting of a right to Azerbaijan to host the first European Olympic Games is the result of great confidence in the country. Azerbaijan will reach great success at these games and establish itself as a sport nation once again," Aliyev said.
"The work held today will be continued, new facilities will be constructed. I believe that the European Olympic Games are a great historic event for Azerbaijan," the MP said.
At the 41th General Assembly of the European Olympic Committee in Rome, it has been decided to hold the first-ever European Games in Azerbaijan's capital, Baku. The games will be held in 2015. The decision was made as a result of the secret balloting, where of 48 votes, 38 came in favor. Eight votes came against, and two more restrained from voting.
According to preliminary estimates of some international organizations, the European Olympic Games will bring about seven thousand sportsmen together, and it is expected that about 2650 people - officials, doctors, coaches and other members of the delegations will arrive in Baku.