Baku: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received the nation’s Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestlers, who secured first place in the team standings at the European Championships held in Tirana, Albania. Medal-winning athletes in women’s wrestling and their coaches were also present.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, President Aliyev delivered a speech celebrating the athletes’ achievements, emphasizing the importance of maintaining and developing the country’s wrestling traditions. He congratulated the team on their victory, noting the intense competition at the European level and the pride their success brings to Azerbaijan. The President highlighted the strength of the training and selection processes within the wrestling federation and praised the involvement of Olympic champions and renowned athletes in leadership and coaching roles.
President Aliyev stressed the role of sport in fostering patriotism among the younger generation and reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting athletes and sports development in the country. He also acknowledged the multinational composition of the team and the necessity for continued improvement in Azerbaijani language proficiency among team members.
Freestyle wrestler Turan Bayramov and Greco-Roman wrestler Hasrat Jafarov expressed their gratitude to President Aliyev for his support and shared their aspirations for future success. Female wrestler Jala Aliyeva, who had met the President previously as a European U23 champion, also thanked him for his ongoing attention and encouragement.
President Aliyev expressed his admiration for the positive atmosphere and strong team spirit within the national squad. He emphasized the significance of athletes conducting themselves with dignity, both in their professional and personal lives, and highlighted the importance of maintaining high moral standards.
The President acknowledged challenges faced by Azerbaijani athletes, including biased attitudes at European competitions, but urged the team to continue exhibiting dignified behavior in all circumstances. He concluded by encouraging the athletes to remain true to their principles and commended them for representing Azerbaijan with distinction on the international stage.