Baku wins the 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games hosting bid

JEDDAH

The Azerbaijani capital won the hosting rights of the 2017 edition of the Islamic Solidarity Games.

Azerbaijan’s capital city, Baku, won the right to host the fourth edition of the Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG) in 2017.

Baku won the hosting rights after the eighth General Assembly of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF) was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on July 21-25.

During the session Azerbaijan’s representatives presented their “Baku 2017” candidature file to the members of the ISSF. The ISSF unanimously awarded Baku the right to host the multi-sport event in 2017.

The Vice-President of the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan, Dr. Chingiz Huseynzada, stated, “This is the beginning of a highly important period for the sporting culture of our nation. After our success in securing the 2015 European Games, the hosting of the fourth ISG in 2017 will make another important contribution to our standing both in the Muslim and international communities. We are a strong Islamic nation and are committed to helping and inspiring our friends around the world.”

The Head of the International Relations Department of the NOC of Azerbaijan, Konul Nurullayeva, commented, “We are delighted to have secured this prestigious event for our nation. We believe that the Islamic Solidarity Games is one of the most significant and exciting initiatives for Muslim communities around the world and we are proud to contribute to the development of the event. We look forward to warmly welcoming everybody to our beautiful country.”

The 2013 edition of the ISG will be held in Indonesia later this year.

In addition to the 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games decision, Dr. Chingiz Huseynzada was re-elected Vice-President of the ISSF for the next four years. Additionally, a landmark decision concerning the ISSF was made when Konul Nurullayeva, became the first woman ever elected to the executive committee of the ISSF. The General Assembly of the ISSF will be held in Baku in 2015.