Special Olympics AZERBAIJAN meets International Inspiration representatives

Special Olympics Azerbaijan welcomed guests from the International Inspiration project on 30 September 2009 in Baku.

International Inspiration is part of the international education program of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and is using the power of sport to transform the lives of millions of children and young people of all abilities, in schools and communities across the world, particularly in developing countries, through high quality and inclusive physical education, sport and play. 

UK Sports, the British Council and UNICEF have all teamed up for the International Inspiration project.

During the meeting, Special Olympics Azerbaijan president Shahin Aliyev welcomed Valerio Iovine, UNICEF UK; Kenan Mammadli and Sirac Mahmudlu, UNICEF Azerbaijan; and Mehman Karimov, country program manager, International Inspiration.  Aliyev gave an introductory presentation on Special Olympics activities.

Also attending the meeting were Special Olympics program representatives Rovshan Mammedov, national director; Hanifa Gurbanov, board member and professor of the national Sport Academy; and Tarlan Mammadov, sports director. In addition, young Special Olympics athletes and their parents were invited to meet the guests.

There was discussion about Special Olympics Azerbaijan receiving support from the International Inspiration project to hold two coach training seminars in volleyball and football between November 2009 and April 2010. There was also discussion about closer cooperation between Special Olympics Azerbaijan and UNICEF Azerbaijan.

“We are honored that Special Olympics Azerbaijan will become part of International Inspiration and that our young Special Olympics athletes will included in efforts to show how important sports can be to the well being of children with intellectual disabilities,” said Aliyev.  

Photo (standing l-r) Tarlan Mammadov, sports director, and Rovshan Mammedov, national director, Special Olympics Azerbaijan; Kenan Mammadli, UNICEF Azerbaijan representative; Valerio Iovine, UNICEF representative; Shahin Aliyev, Special Olympics Azerbaijan president, and board member Prof. Hanifa Gurbanov. Mehman Karimov, country program manager, International Inspiration, is kneeling next to the Special Olympics banner being held by Special Olympics athletes Valerian Sokolov and  Cavad Heydarli.  Special Olympics Azerbaijan office manager Shafag Shiraliyeva is at the right; parents are in the background. Sirac Mahmudlu, from UNICEF Azerbaijan is next to Karimov. (Courtesy Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia)