Sport24.az
An interview with Vali Gasimov, coordinator of the Shamakhi Regional Football School, for Sport24.az
- How do you assess the 2024/2025 season for the Shamakhi Regional Football School?
- The children are growing up. Mostly the younger age groups. There were almost no children in the older ages. We gathered them with difficulty. We are struggling a bit with this. The younger ones are good. They are growing, development is taking place. I believe there will be good results.
- You highlighted the younger age groups. Are there many talented players?
- They are really very good. We play in the Agsu zone. We win almost every match. But our main goal, of course, is to train children. They need to be directed correctly. If you look at it properly, you will see that development is taking place.
- Many think that Shamakhi is not a football region. You have been there for several years now. Will this region be able to give famous faces to the country's football?
- I am sure that in 4-5 years, football players from Shamakhi will play in our national team. There are potential players here. I believe they will reach higher levels. First of all, the work must continue. After that, we will see together how many football players come out.
- Results are not so important in the younger age groups. But young people are inclined to win. Will any of your teams be able to compete for the championship in the coming years?
- It will be very difficult for us to compete for the championship. Because some clubs play for results. They have opportunities. They have conditions, they can provide food. They attract and keep children from other regions of Azerbaijan. Such a team can show results. In our case, there are only children from Shamakhi. We let them play, even if they are weak. Our goal is a little different compared to other clubs. There are many people from other regions in our clubs. Children in all our age groups are from Shamakhi. We didn't train the adults, we just gathered them. They cannot show results, they cannot play. But there is development in young children.
- Several young Azerbaijani players are also in the main team of "Shamakhi", which plays in the Misli Premier League...
- Aykhan Abbasov has also been appointed as the head coach of our U-21 national team. Now they will attract more young football players. This is also a very good factor for the country's football. Of course, there will also be legionnaires in the squad. Young football players develop more when they play next to foreigners. Currently, the "Shamakhi" team gives the most chances to young people. Shamakhi football will develop day by day. Aykhan muellim will play young people more.
