Playing the Long Game

Sport has undoubtedly become an important focus for Azerbaijan in recent years. The inaugural European Games to be held in Baku in June 2015 has increased this attention, and the country is, understandably, fixated on the event. With many future events in Azerbaijan already being planned after the Games, it seems that national interests and success in sport are set to increase noticeably.

An important part of making Azerbaijan a sporting hub is ensuring that national athletes continue to achieve greater success in international events. To emphasize the importance of sports to Azerbaijan, the First Lady of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and Chairperson of the European Games Organizing Committee, HE Mehriban Aliyeva said in a recent speech in Moscow on April 10, 2015, “Today, supporting sports and Olympic movement in Azerbaijan is one of the priority directions of state policy. We as an independent state have been participating in the Olympic Games since 1996 and we take pride in the showings of our athletes.” The country’s performance in the 2012 London Olympics is evidence of the progress made—the country’s athletes took home 10 medals, which was a record performance by an Azerbaijani Olympic team.

The European Games is an opportunity for Azerbaijani athletes to follow up on this success and prepare for additional accomplishments at the 2016 Olympics Games in Rio de Janeiro. Various clubs throughout the country are contributing to this through the introduction of additional sports. While Azerbaijan is renowned for its prowess in wrestling, other martial arts are coming to the fore; Azerbaijani athletes are expected to produce a strong performances in events such as taekwondo, judo, karate, and boxing. Strong performances from young athletes bode well for the future of Azerbaijan sporting teams. Fariz Najafov, Vice-President of Gabala Sports Club, is particularly proud of his club’s young athletes: “We had some major achievements over 2014. One of our young athletes became a world youth champion in taekwondo; we won European youth titles in boxing, and there were some superb international results in judo and karate.”

Future events will play an important role. For example, 2016 will be the year of Formula One in Baku, while the Islamic Solidarity Games will be hosted in Azerbaijan in the following year. The world will closely watch the European Games to determine whether Azerbaijan can be a contender for the event. Sport can also become a highlight of the country’s attractions. Once the facilities are ready, Azerbaijan could be a center for sport with several specialized facilities established not only for the events, but also for the longer term. Major facilities such as the Olympic Stadium, the National Gymnastics Arena, and the Heydar Aliyev Arena, once completed, could become chosen locations for international sporting events for years to come. The Gabala Shooting Club is also an example of the country’s potential for excellent facilities. The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup for rifle, shotgun, and pistol is being hosted at the club in August 2015 and has been renowned for its facilities for some time.

Baku, and the country as a whole, will want to capitalize on the potential for a long-term legacy that events such as the European Games can foster. At the London 2012 Olympics, the UK had the opportunity to showcase its long and varied history and culture to world, while also develop grassroots organizations all across the country. A new interest in sport was sparked in the UK allowing for more funds and the introduction of new sports to the school’s national curriculum. London’s success as a host set in motion new bids for major sporting competitions, with the country hosting 20 such events before the end of 2020. Baku has already emulated this success in the fact that it has been able to win bids to host the Islamic Solidarity Games and matches of the UEFA Euro 2020.

In a country of just over 9 million and with just over 20 years of independence, the Games represent the beginning of an exciting new era. Developing standards of sport at club and regional level is fundamental. The London 2012 Olympics are an important demonstration of the progress that Azerbaijani sport has made, while an increase in interest and success at a youth level is promising. However, more similar success is needed not only to continue such development, but also to keep up the momentum that has gathered in Azerbaijan in anticipation for the Games. It is an event that the whole city is excited about, and the positive effects of the Games should last longer than just from June 12th to 28th. Azerbaijan should continue to encourage and celebrate sport well after the event has finished.