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Sports and Tourism
Physical training and sports are widely spread in Azerbaijan. There are physical training chairs in all the Universities and colleges. Physical training classes are included in the curricula of secondary schools for the entire period of education. All Universities and schools have sports teachers and equipment. Various regional, republican and international sports competitions are held on a regular basis.
In rural areas the preference is given to national kinds of sports among which are: "gyulash" (wrestling), "chovgan" (a variety of polo). "Nard" (backgammon) is one of the most popular national games which is played by almost everybody in Azerbaijan.
Since independence Azerbaijan sportsmen have been taking much more active part in international sports competitions. Thus in 1995 165 sportsmen took part in various world and European competitions. In 1996 this number increased to 412. In 1995 Azerbaijan sportsmen won 22 gold, 15 silver and 27 bronze medals in international competitions. In 1996 Azerbaijan won 21 gold, 17 silvers and 28 bronzes.
In 1996 Azerbaijan was first presented by an independent team in Olympic Games in Atlanta. Namig Abdullayev, wrestler got the silver prize of the Olympic Games. In 1995 he became a European champion, in 1996 - a bronze prize-winner and in 1997 - a silver prize-winner of European championship.
The achievements of the women engaged in sports are given a special importance in Azerbaijan. Along with traditional feminine sports Azerbaijani women are engaged in such kinds as sumo wrestling and shooting. One of them is Zulfiyya Hasanova who became a world champion in sumo wrestling in 1995 and 1996, a European champion in 1995 and a silver-prize-winner of the European championship in 1997.
Zemfira Meftaheddinova has remarkable achievements in shooting. She took the first place in team competitions in the European championship in 1990. In 1996 she broke the record and took the first place in the European championship.
Chess is very popular in Azerbaijan. After the world champion Harry Kasparov, who was a native of Baku, great achievements were reached by Aynur Sofiyeva, Firuza Velikhanli and Ilaha Gadimova. In 1991 12 year old Ilaha Gadimova became a champion among 16 year old chess- players. In 1992 she became a silver prize-winner of the European championship among juniors, in 1994 - a European champion among students, in 1993 - a European champion among 20 year olds and in 1996 took the third place in the International Students Competition.
From 1994 to the first quarter of 1997 the income of the state from foreign tourism was $181 million.
A more complete and mutually related system of tourism statistics has been started. This will help the Azerbaijan Government to take important decisions on making a program on the development of tourism in Azerbaijan by explaining its economic significance.
This process will be fostered by the "Law on Tourism" prepared with the consideration of international standards, Hague declaration on tourism, recommendations of the International Tourism Organization and the world experience on the development of tourism industry.
The Law together with other acts on tourism will ensure the development of this field in Azerbaijan, create a complete national model of tourism industry integrated in the world tourism infrastructure and capable of providing high standard services.
Agreements on cooperation in the field of tourism have been signed with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Greece, China, France, Islamic Republic of Iran, Romania, Turkey and CIS countries. The agreements provide for coordination of the cooperation between administrative levels in the field, working out joint projects directed in the creation of new kinds of services, training of personnel, exchange of representatives, expert groups as well as literature, organization of exhibitions, congresses, conferences and cultural events, realization of measures reducing formality regarding tourist exchanges. In this respect a work on preparing a package of documents with representatives of a number of states is being carried out.
Since 1994 direct contacts have been set up with foreign tourist companies: 41 agreements and contracts on tourist exchange have been signed. Azerbaijan is a member of the Organization of Black Sea Economic Cooperation and of the International tourist organization "Eurasia".
Azerbaijan has a great potential for developing the tourism industry - ancient cities, fortresses, palaces, mausoleums, mosques, towers "karvansarays" (ancient oases). There is the unique museum-reservation "Gobustan", the fire worshipper's temple "Ateshgah", the Palace of Shirvanshahs, Maiden Tower. There are more than 6 thousand historical monuments of architecture preserved in the territory of Azerbaijan.
The natural climatic conditions of Azerbaijan are also unique. As it is well known, out of 11 climatic zones 9 exist in Azerbaijan. There are also mineral resources, rich fauna and flora. And finally, there are national traditions and an exquisite national cuisine.
Azeri boxers won 2 gold and 4 silver medals
The First World Boxing Cup for juniors has recently completed in Baku. Azeri boxers Aslan Bayramov (57 kg) and Emil Maharramov (60 kg) won gold medals. Four Azeri sportsmen have won silver medals and 4 bronze ones.
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