Meeting with representatives of international organizations held at NOC to promote the Deaflympics Movement

A meeting was held at the administrative building of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) with a delegation of the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) and the European Deaf Sports Organisation (EDSO).

"Report" informs that the event was attended by Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee Azer Aliyev, Director of the Sports Department of the NOC Hasanaga Rzayev, Director of the International Relations Department Anar Bagirov, Press Secretary Murad Farzaliyev, President of the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf Adam Kosa, Vice President of the Committee Kristina Horvat, President of the European Deaf Sports Organisation Iosif Stavrakakis, member of the organization's board Burcu Piskin, President of the Board of the Azerbaijan Deaflympics Committee Anar Bayramov and Secretary General of the Committee Namig Novruzov.

The main purpose of the meeting was to strengthen the activities of the Azerbaijan Deaflympics Committee, further develop deaf sports and expand opportunities for cooperation in this field in the future. The event discussed the support of the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf and the European Deaf Sports Organisation's experience and resources to the Deaflympics Movement in Azerbaijan.

Welcoming the participants of the event, the Secretary General of the NOC Azer Aliyev first provided detailed information about the activities of the committee and the development of Azerbaijani sports. He spoke about the international competitions hosted by Azerbaijan and the successes achieved at the Olympic Games. Noting that special attention is paid to sports for people with disabilities, he emphasized the successful performance of Azerbaijani athletes at the Paralympic Games. The Secretary General said that Azerbaijan won 19 medals at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Paralympic Games and took 10th place with this result.

Azer Aliyev emphasized the difficulties of the Deaflympics Movement, noting that not only physical training but also mental preparation is important here. Noting that Azerbaijan has not yet participated in the Deaflympic Games, the Secretary General expressed confidence that our country will be successfully represented at the Deaflympic Games to be held in Tokyo this year.

Azer Aliyev noted that the Azerbaijan Deaflympics Committee, established in 2023, is very active despite being a new organization. He emphasized that Azerbaijan hosted the I European Games, the IV Islamic Solidarity Games and other multi-sport competitions, and that the proposal to hold the Deaflympic Games in Azerbaijan is very interesting. Azer Aliyev stated that the Azerbaijan National Olympic Committee is ready to support this area, and noted that this work will be further advanced with the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population.

President of the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf Adam Kosa highly appreciated Azerbaijan's attention and support for deaf sports. He said he was confident that such cooperation would create important opportunities for Azerbaijani Deaflympic athletes to achieve more success in the international arena. Adam Kosa expressed hope that he would support Azerbaijan in supporting the Deaflympics movement and promoting the holding of European Championships and regional competitions in Azerbaijan.

President of the European Deaf Sports Organisation Iosif Stavrakakis noted that cooperating with Azerbaijan is very positive and that there are great opportunities for wider cooperation in the future. He expressed hope that Azerbaijan will participate in the Deaflympic Games as a guest. Iosif Stavrakakis said that about 4,000 athletes in 21 sports will participate in the Deaflympic Games to be held in Tokyo this year, and also noted that 104 countries have registered.

President of the Board of the Azerbaijan Deaflympics Committee Anar Bayramov provided detailed information about the future plans of the Azerbaijan Deaflympics Committee at the meeting. He noted that holding the Deaflympic Games in Azerbaijan is an important step and expressed confidence that wider opportunities will be created for the development of this field.

At the end of the meeting, the parties reached agreements on expanding mutual cooperation and establishing closer relations in the future. It was emphasized that such meetings are of great importance in terms of strengthening Azerbaijan's position in the international sports arena and supporting the Deaflympics Movement in our country.

Finally, the Secretary General of the NOC Azer Aliyev presented a special gift from the NOC to the President of the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf Adam Kosa. At the end of the meeting, a commemorative photo was taken.