Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 11 / Trend E. Mehdiyev /
Around 20 international sports federations have confirmed their participation at the first European Olympic Games in Baku.
Today the 20, including federations of handball, volleyball, rugby, boxing, judo, equestrian, badminton, taekwondo, archery, fencing, canoeing, table tennis and wrestling have confirmed their participation at the European Olympic games to be held in Baku in 2015, Azerbaijani Minister of Youth and Sports Azad Rahimov told media today.
He added that Azerbaijan has made a proposal to include the karate.
It is expected a decision will be made by the end of the next week about participation of the federation on water sports at the Games.
"All federations have verbally confirmed their participation," he said. "We are waiting for written confirmation and signing agreements with each of them."
It is planned to build a beach volleyball complex on Baku Boulevard before the Games.
A decision was made to hold the first European Games in Baku at the 41st General Assembly of the European Olympic Committee. The Games will be held in 2015.
The General Assembly of the European Olympic Committee made the decision to hold the first European Games in Baku as a result of a secret ballot by 38 of 48 votes (eight - against, two - abstained).
According to the preliminary forecasts of some international organisations, around 7000 sportsmen are expected to participate at the European Olympic Games, he said.
According to their own forecasts, around 2650 people including officials, doctors, coaches and other members of official delegations are expected to arrive in Baku.
According to Azerbaijan's forecasts, this figure is less more like 4,000-4500 people, Rahimov said.