Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb.10 / Trend M.Aliyev /
Opening ceremony of the 39th European Junior and Kadet karate championship was held in the Sport-Concert Complex named after Heydar Aliyev in Baku on Friday.
Azerbaijani Minister for Youth and Sport Azad Rahimov said in his speech Azerbaijan witnesses intensified development of sport and karate is one of leading sports.
He said the fact that the 39th European karate championship is held in Azerbaijan is continuation of these high achievements.
President of the National Karate Federation Yashar Bashirov noted holding in Azerbaijan of large-scale competitions and successful performance of Azerbaijani athletes in the international competitions demonstrates that Azerbaijan is going to turn to sports country.
Secretary General of the European Karate Federation George Yerolimpos noted significant successes of Azerbaijani karatekas in the world arena. He said the championship in Baku will become an incitement to inclusion of this sport in the version of the World Karate Federation (WKF) to the Olympic Games program.
Over 700 athletes from 40 countries will participate in the competition.