Representative of the Azerbaijan Boxing Federation: "I hope our referees will be invited to the Olympic Games"

I believe that our referees will receive an invitation to the Olympic Games.

Emil Gurbanaliyev, Chairman of the Referees Collegium of the Azerbaijan Boxing Federation (ABF), said this in his statement to "Report".

He commented on the increase in the category of 3 Azerbaijani referees from 2 stars to 3 stars by the International Boxing Association:

"The development of referees in Azerbaijani boxing is obvious. Last year, 17 referees participated in exams to obtain the 1-star category, and 14 of them successfully completed the test. It is gratifying that the international category of Anar Naghdiyev, Rovshan Gadirov and Galib Abiyev has been increased from 2 stars to 3 stars. We will be able to see them in world, European championships and continental tournaments. This is a phased work. If our referees can make a name for themselves in international competitions, they will also receive an invitation to the Olympic Games."

E.Gurbanaliyev said that they involve former boxers who have finished their careers in refereeing:

"Preference is given to young people in boxing refereeing. We have invited titled boxers such as Nasraddin Mammadov, Shaban Shahpalangov, Tural Ahmadov and Ruslan Gasimov, who have finished their sports careers, to work as referees. The above-mentioned and a number of our other referees are also real candidates to get the 3-star category in the future. I would also like to emphasize the name of our female referee Masma Salimzade, who is a candidate to represent our country in international arenas. She has already earned a 1-star category. I am sure that she will increase her experience even more in the future."

It should be noted that the number of three-star category referees in Azerbaijan has increased to 6. Earlier, Emil Gurbanaliyev, Anar Babanli and Fuad Aslanov also rose to this category.