OMM Newsroom
Youth and Sports Minister Farid Gayibov said the goal is not only to develop champions but also to build a sporting environment that will help sustain their success. In his regular “The Minister’s View” notes, he discussed work being carried out in sports and youth policy.
Gayibov said President Ilham Aliyev’s attendance at events related to the World Judo Championships and the FIFA U-15 World Cup and festival, as well as his congratulating and awarding members of the National Paralympic Committee and Paralympians on the committee’s 30th anniversary, reflected the attention given to sport. Baku, designated “World Sports Capital 2026,” hosted the World Judo and Sumo Championships and the European Aquatics Congress. Ahmad Yusifov and Amrah Shafiyev became world champions, Eldaniz Azizli won his fifth world title, and Sanan Suleymanov took gold in an Olympic weight category.
Infrastructure and regions
The building, classrooms and dormitory rooms of the Republican Olympic Sports Lyceum, along with its wrestling and judo halls and cafeteria, reopened after renovation. “Ski Center Baku,” “Go Prime Crossfit” and the “TT FIGHT” gym in Lokbatan also opened. The minister highlighted the contribution of private-sector investment, the establishment of clubs and competition to developing athletes.
The third international Khankendi ultramarathon, attended by 97 participants from six countries, covered 192 kilometers along the Gabala-Aghdash-Barda-Aghdam-Khankendi route. On Independence Restoration Day, about 500 people climbed 566 steps during a hike at Highland Park. “Kur” women’s handball team competed in the third qualifying round of the EHF European Cup, its men’s team in the second qualifying round, “Turan” women’s volleyball team in the third qualifying round of the CEV Champions League, and “Ganja” in the FIBA Europe Cup group stage.
International cooperation and youth
Gayibov held meetings with Hakuho Sho, Viktor Lukashenko and Rwegp Ngarambe. In New Delhi, on the sidelines of the 10th conference on UNESCO’s anti-doping convention, he discussed cooperation with Mansukh Mandaviya. Young people took part in the “Onkolojide 3T” competition at “TEKNOFEST 2026,” the “Caspian Cup-2026” and the “World Food Forum 2026” in Rome.
More than 10,000 young people joined the first “GenclikFest” in Baku during the day, while Ujar hosted its first Rice Festival. The minister stressed the importance of sports and youth work in giving people the opportunity to realize their potential.
