Azerbaijan Judo Federation granted regional educational center status

The Azerbaijan Judo Federation (AJF) was granted the status of a regional center of the International Judo Federation (IJF) Academy on August 16. The event held on this occasion was attended by Youth and Sports Minister Farid Gayibov, IJF Academy Chairman Envic Galea, Executive Vice President of the Azerbaijan Judo Federation Rashad Rasullu, Olympic champions Zelim Kotsoyev and Hidayat Heydarov, representatives of the National Olympic Committee, experts and other officials.

In his speech, AJF Executive Vice President Rashad Rasullu expressed great satisfaction with the status of regional center given to the Azerbaijan Judo Federation by the International Judo Federation: “Our cooperation with the IJF Academy has been strong and mutually beneficial from the very beginning. To date, 130 judo coaches have successfully completed the Academy’s program. Education has always been a key part of our Federation’s mission and we will continue to do so. Our selection as a regional center of the International Judo Federation Academy confirms that the Azerbaijan Judo Federation plays a leading role in the development of the sport of judo in the region. This success will allow us to provide our country’s athletes and coaches with the highest level of training opportunities at international level.” At the end of his speech, he expressed gratitude to the country’s leadership, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the International Judo Federation for the support provided to the development of judo in Azerbaijan.

IJF Academy Chairman Envic Galea praised the Federation’s achievements and said: “I congratulate the Azerbaijan Judo Federation on the two gold medals won at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Our continued cooperation with the Federation has been very successful. IJF President Marius Wieser  is pleased to grant regional status to the Azerbaijan Judo Federation. Currently, only two other federations – Türkiye and Georgia – have this prestigious status. These achievements were made possible thanks to the support of the state, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the National Olympic Committee and the work of a strong team”. Envic  Galea also informed the participants of the event that Olympic medalist Rustam Orujov was accepted into the IJF Academy as an expert.

Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov congratulated the Federation on the occasion of high achievements at the Olympic Games. He emphasized that the support of President Ilham Aliyev played an important role in the development of judo in Azerbaijan. He highlighted the importance of the Academy and said it was important that judo coaches were recognized as professional specialists.

The event ended with the awarding of certificates of participation to another 50 coaches who had been trained at the IJF Academy. To date, 187 coaches have participated in the Academy’s educational programs, 130 of whom have already received coaching diplomas.