"Saglamlig-2016" Spartakiada Games for communication workers have kicked off in Azerbaijan. Note that Spartakiada Games are organized in the country in connection with the professional holiday of workers of the sphere of communications and high technologies held in the Republic of Azerbaijan. And this year’s games are dedicated to the 135th anniversary of the creation of telephone communications in the country.
The ceremony of the opening of the Games was attended by First Deputy Minister of Communications and High Technologies Ali Abdullayev, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Ismayil Ismayilov, Deputy Chairman of Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation Agil Dadashov, as well as representatives of communication associations and sports societies.
The ceremony began with a speech delivered by First Deputy Minister of Communications and High Technologies Ali Abdullayev, who announced the opening of the Games. He spoke about the dynamic development of sports in our country and the successful performance of our athletes in international sports arenas, which was achieved as a result of the special care and attention the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev gives to the field of sports.
He said that the fact that the women's volleyball team "Telecom", which performs under the patronage of the Ministry of Communications and High Technologies, won a ticket to the group stage of the European Championship 2017 can be considered a success of the sports community.
Ali Abdullayev noted that the Spartakiada Games are held in Azerbaijan with the aim of strengthening communication workers’ health, helping communication workers to spend usefully their leisure-time through engagement in physical training and sports activities and determining the best sports teams.
Others speakers at the ceremony noted that the country has achieved substantial progress in the field of sports over the recent years. They also pointed out that such games make important contribution to the overall development of the country.
Note that 14 teams, including more than 500 athletes, that represent different structures subordinated to the Ministry of Communications and High Technologies, will take part in "Saglamlig-2016" Spartakiada Games, which will be held in 9 sports - athletics, volleyball, table tennis, tug-of-war, five-a-side, backgammon, chess, checkers and bullet shooting.
The competitions will be held from September 24 to October 25.