In 2023, an awarding ceremony was held for chess players who distinguished themselves in the world and European championships.
Idman.biz reports that the event was attended by Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov and President of the Azerbaijan Chess Federation (ACF) Mahir Mammadov.
Before the ceremony, a video was shown showing the achievements of Azerbaijani chess players in the international competitions they participated in during the year.
Opening the event with an introductory speech, the head of the AFC said that the year is not yet over for chess players: "Samarkand will host the world championship in blitz and rapid types. Many of our chess players will participate in this competition. We have high hopes for the team members who will participate in the World Cup.
He thanked the Ministry of Youth and Sports for their constant support. Mammadov noted that 2023 was fruitful for the chess family: "This year is the 100th anniversary of the birth of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev. We carried out a series of events within the framework of the "Year of Heydar Aliyev". Our country hosted the World Cup. Nijat Abbasov is expected to participate in the Challengers Tournament in 2024. "Azerbaijani athletes have achieved many successes in the competition among chess players under 20 years of age."
According to the head of the federation, the unsuccessful results of our men's national team at the European Championship are still being investigated: "However, our female chess players won a silver medal. All this gives us hope that our nation will develop on a rising line. "Vugar Gashimov Memorial" was held in Gabala for the first time. Famous foreign and local chess players participated in the tournament. Overall, this race brought back good memories. We are looking forward to holding the 10th "Vugar Gashimov Memorial".
Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov emphasized that the year was rich and productive for Azerbaijani chess players. He said that the World Cup held in our country was very grand: "Our female chess team made us happy this year. These are the desired results. We have always worked together with the Chess Federation. As a result, such results are recorded. Azerbaijani chess player Mohammad Muradli made us especially happy with his result. Of course, the support of the state is very important. The attention and care of Mr. President Ilham Aliyev to sports and chess is felt in every sense. The head of the country always meets athletes near the end of the year. I wish our athletes good luck in the new year and they should work hard to achieve better results."
Gunay Mammadzada, a member of the Azerbaijan national team, thanked the federation for their attention. Nijat Abbasov, a chess player of the men's national team, said that 2023 was very good for him: "Although there are many sports, our federation is different. Many people talk about the success of chess players. This is a happy thing for us."
Faig Hasanov, the vice-president of the ACF, wished the chess players good luck in the next year: "Azerbaijan has become a chess country. Since the day when the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev founded chess schools in our regions in the 1970s, there is no region where a good chess player does not come from. Also, our athletes feel very well the attention and care that Mr. President Ilham Aliyev shows to chess. I have not seen such a revival in Azerbaijani chess for a long time.
In the end, 14 chess players and several coaches were awarded by the Azerbaijan Chess Federation.
Banuchichek Huseynli
Idman.biz
