Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec.19 / Trend , F.Huseynli /
The Azerbaijani Association of Football Federations (AFFA) Secretary General Elkhan Mammadov thinks that 2009 was a lucky year for the development of football.
"We launched many new projects and introduced innovations in 2009. The purpose of 2009 was to ensure the popularity of football. I think we have achieved progress in this field, too. About 1,500 children were registered in AFFA's e-database in early 2009. But now the figure hits 7,200. They participate in various tournaments under the AFFA's flag," Mammadov told Trend , summarizing the results of 2009.
A league consisting of teenagers aged 13, 15 and 17 has been created, he said.
"The training was held for coaches in 2009. We continued the strategy which was launched in 2008," Mammadov said. "AFFA plans to hold different competitions in 2010."
"Of course, there wasn't enough time to solve some issues. For example, we failed to create the league for children aged 11. We intend to realize it next year. Creation of these leagues will give a great impulse to the football development," he said.
Mammadov said that a successful participation of 17-year-old teenagers in 2008 and 18-year-old teenagers this year show that the development of football in Azerbaijan is stabilized.
"Our women team also made a success in the competition among 19-year-old sportswomen in 2009. Our beach football team ranked 9 in European League. Our "football" team got permission to the final stage. Now it is the twelfth team in Europe. It also shows that not only a great football, but all kinds of football develop in Azerbaijan," Secretary General said.
According to the AFFA representative, regarding with the performances of the national team, the policy with participation of young sportsmen was carried out in 2009. "We have seen the fruits of this policy conducted by the head coach at the end of the season. Our national team proved it by its confident games. We hope that next year will be more a successful one than 2009," Mammadov said.
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