The General Secretary of Azerbaijan Weightlifting Federation-Rizvan Rasulov participated in the weightlifting symposium organized by Czech Republic Weightlifting Federation, in Praga, on May 3-5. The event was attended by the President and General Secretary from more than 15 federations of European and Asian countries. The President of IWF-Tamash Ajan also participated in the discussions.
The agenda had a few issues. There were topics about new IWF president elections to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, at the end of May, anti-doping struggle, innovations in weightlifting equipments, holding seminars for trainers, referees and Technical Officials, development of weightlifting, discussion of the aid program-projects for the countries called third states, expansion of marketing activities in order to improve the financial guarantee of weightlifting and others.
The symposium will be remembered for interesting discussions and performances because of quite appropriate and important issues coincided with the day. The only issue that deducted from the agenda was the fourth Islamic Solidarity Games in Azerbaijan and the preparation process for it. The General Secretary of Azerbaijan Weightlifting Federation-Rizvan Rasulov informed about it with the support of IWF President. He noted that Azerbaijan attaches a great value to the Islamic Games and does the best for its’ high organization. The great attention is paid to all details from the smallest and we try to maximize the guests convenience, training, competition and relaxation conditions. It was emphasized that Islamic Games are of great importance for our country. Rizvan Rasulov spoke about the numbers of states and athletes, accommodation, food, training and competition system, equipments, volunteers integration, transport, work conditions created for referees and technical officials and other issues. The declaration was welcomed with great pleasure, expressed pleasure and asked to thank the organizers. The General Secretary of Asian Weightlifting Federation- Jalood Mahammad Hasan stated that he is in close contact with the Islamic Games Organizing Committee, and confirmed that the work done at the highest level.
Then Tamash Ajan took a floor. He first talked about the anti-doping struggle. The head of the Federation noted that the punishing issues of Turkish, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Russia and other strong weightlifting countries, are on the agenda, but expressed dissatisfaction with the situation. Ajan said that these countries play a major role in the development of the sport of weightlifting and as a leader, is fighting to avoid these penalties.
According to the words of the Federation President, major works are being done in the candidate countries, changes are made in institutional structures and necessary steps are taken for development. He voiced that he witnessed with his own eyes that the serious anti-doping struggle was made. Even Ajan showed us as an example: “Last year, I was in Azerbaijan and saw the big (Center Base in AAAf Park) and little academy (Lyceum), the work they did, the training bases, infrastructure, nutrition and study places, as well as Shuvelan Academy. These people love weightlifting and spend enough money for its development. In that case, why should we punish these people and even keep it on the agenda? If these countries change their point of view to this sport, make reconstruction, improve the material -technical base, fight against doping, we have to be on their side, should support in these issues. ”
Rizvan Rasulov said that the establishment of intensive relations with the IWF is continuing. According to the words of General Secretary, two seminars for referees, as well as, anti-doping seminar are intended to be held by the Federation. Two seminars for trainers and also one seminar for technical officials who serve to the competitions, will be organized with the support of Azerbaijan Youth and Sport Ministry, NOC and AZE WF. The importance and effectiveness of such trainings were discussed at the symposium.
In summary, it was noted that in the result of enhancing the innovative activity, and involvement of sponsors, the sport of weightlifting will be the largest growth.
