Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov has summed up the results of 2025, İdman.Biz reports.
“As is traditional, this year the head of our state, respected Ilham Aliyev, presented state awards and apartments to a group of athletes and specialists who distinguished themselves during the year at a meeting dedicated to the results of the sporting year. Such meetings are not only a reward for our athletes, but also moral support and an incentive to set new goals. The ideas voiced by the President defined the key directions of our future activities. At another event held at Buta Palace, we awarded the winners of the year in various categories,” the minister said.
In his “Minister’s viewpoint”, Gayibov noted that 2025 became a year of new records, achievements and landmark events for Azerbaijani sport. “Throughout the year, our athletes performed successfully at world and continental championships, World Cups, Grand Prix events and other international competitions, winning 613 gold, 616 silver and 884 bronze medals – a total of 2,113 medals. These results reflect tremendous effort, systematic work and consistent development,” he said.
Gayibov emphasized that Baku has been declared the World Sports Capital for 2026. “In this regard, an official ceremony for the transfer of the commemorative plaque ‘World Sports Capitals’ was held at the Baku City Executive Authority, and Baku received this status from the city of Monaco. I am confident that together with federations and relevant institutions, the capital will successfully fulfill this responsible mission,” he stated.
The minister also noted that Azerbaijan’s international activities continued throughout the year. “At the World Anti-Doping Conference in Busan, South Korea, we spoke about mass sports events, the promotion of a healthy lifestyle and projects implemented under our country’s auspices. Within the framework of the visit, meetings were held with South Korea’s Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Che Hwi-young, President of the World Anti-Doping Agency Witold Banka, and Mayor of Busan Park Heong-joon,” Gayibov said.
Following tradition, the minister met with athletes who achieved success at international competitions, listening to their views and proposals. “The next reception of citizens was held in Jalilabad with residents of the Bilasuvar, Jabrayil and Jalilabad districts,” he added.
The head of the ministry also reported that visits by Azerbaijani athletes to the liberated territories within the framework of the “Great Return” program continued throughout the year. After footballers, judokas and sports veterans, wrestlers also joined this mission.
Farid Gayibov highlighted that the Vugar Gashimov Memorial, dedicated to the late chess player and European champion, was held this year in the city of Khankendi.
He also noted the growing interest in swimming, reporting that the fourth “Swimming for All” competition involved more than 1,500 participants across 14 age groups and was held in 37 pools in Baku and the regions.
“We took part in the 8th Children’s Paralympic Games, the first Azerbaijan championship in padel, as well as the national championships in taekwondo and karate.
Reporting and election conferences were held for the shooting, badminton and fencing federations. The conferences of the Chess Federation and the MMA and grappling federation, dedicated to the results of 2025, were useful for analyzing the work done. I wish the newly elected federation leaders success.
Undoubtedly, sports halls in villages and settlements play an important role in attracting children and young people to sports and in preparing new champions. Recently, the Greco-Roman wrestling hall of our renowned wrestler Taleh Mammadov began operating in the Zabrat settlement,” the minister said.
In conclusion, Gayibov noted that another year filled with victories is behind us. “Looking back, we see that the steps taken in the field of youth and sports are bearing fruit. These successes are the result of unity created by our youth, athletes, the sports community, youth organizations and federations. I am confident that this unity and the right strategy will lead us to even greater goals. Taking this opportunity, I congratulate everyone on the New Year and the Day of Solidarity of Azerbaijanis Worldwide,” he said.
