Interview with Elvin Ajdarli, Executive Director of "Karvan-Yevlakh", to Sport24.az.
- "Karvan-Yevlakh" is currently last in the Misli Premier League with 6 points. What can you say about the current situation of the team?
- Our team is not currently performing as the management wants. There are certain reasons for this. There are many injured players in the squad. But we believe that we will eliminate the problems soon. We still have 15 games ahead. In other matches, we will try not to make the mistakes of previous meetings.
- Does the management have any plans to get out of the "black streak"? Do you meet with the team? Are there any talks around these issues?
- Yes. We meet constantly. I am at the base almost every day. I am here from morning till night. We talk regularly with the players, the head coach, and the vice-president. We are trying to get out of the situation. Our Vice President for Sports is Kenan Kerimov. Kenan muallim has services in the team's recruitment, the appointment of the previous head coach Azer Hashimov, and the implementation of the current team's transfers. Since he has a football past and a good career, these transfers and sports issues have been entrusted to Kenan muallim. He is more active in this regard. I am more on the administrative side of the work. I am trying to realize the wishes of the head coach and the players in the club as soon as possible. Which has technical and administrative aspects. I play the role of a "bridge" between the club's top management and the team so that the comfort of the team is not disturbed due to minor problems.
- A base has been created for "Karvan-Yevlakh". The stadium is in normal condition. What other works are planned for the future?
- "Karvan-Yevlakh" also has another base on the banks of the Kura River. Currently, repair and reconstruction works are going on there. It has been closed for major repairs. The club management has spent approximately 3.5 million on the grass cover of the currently used base and stadium. The construction of a new field is planned within the Yevlakh city stadium. There will also be a tribune for 1500-2000 fans. It will be built according to the most modern standards. Natural grass cover is planned. The club management has allocated a budget of 4.5 million for this. God willing, we will start construction work in March.
- Will it be a tragedy if "Karvan-Yevlakh" leaves the elite at the end of the season? Or will you continue on your way?
- We will continue on our way. "Karvan" has a great history in Azerbaijani football. Which has said its word in the football elite, most of the famous football players have a "Karvan" past. It is one of the first clubs in Azerbaijan to pass a stage in the European League. "Karvan" has a future-oriented development strategy. Leaving the Premier League is not a tragic ending for us. We haven't been on the field for a long time. We quickly qualified for the Premier League, we were a little inexperienced. There is a big difference between the Premier League of our time and the current one. Although we have a little inexperience in this direction, we realize it. We are solving these problems by learning. We are trying to strengthen the club's brand again in the following seasons, so that the "Karvan" brand has its say in the history of the country's football.
- When the team entered the Premier League, a deadline was given regarding the absence of lower age groups. What work is being done in this direction? Are there lower age groups?
- Yes. We have the 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 age groups. Our children's football is active. One of the reasons why our first base was closed for major repairs is related to children's football. We intend to build and develop the academy in the following seasons. As a kind of investment in human capital.