Uğur Özdemir: Sumgayit aims to represent the city with distinction

Sumgayit basketball club head coach Uğur Özdemir has shared his views on the team’s preparations for the new season and its objectives.

The Turkish coach said the team has begun training with 13 basketball players. The roster includes six foreign and seven local players. He added that further signings could be made during the process, depending on the team’s needs.

Uğur Özdemir said the level and organizational quality of the Azerbaijan Basketball League had improved compared with the period when he coached Khirdalan from 2022 to 2024. He said the main changes included increased budgets and the recruitment of higher-quality players to the championship.

“Our main goal is to represent the city in the best possible way”

The head coach said specific objectives would be determined during the preparation and transfer processes. He said he had signed a one-year contract with an option for an additional year and intended to develop a long-term plan.

“Our main goal is to represent Sumgayit city in the best possible way. We aim to build a team that competes on the court and represents Sumgayit with distinction,” Uğur Özdemir said.

The coach said he preferred fast and aggressive basketball, with particular emphasis on defense. He added that he would draw on his experience in the Azerbaijan Basketball League both in developing the team’s playing style and shaping its transfer policy.