Azərbaycan futbolu 100 100 years of football in azerbaijan

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Mammadov received FIFA referee status. Right after gaining 
of independence in Azerbaijan, the first National Champion­
ship was held by AFFA. Twenty­six teams took part in the First 
Azerbaijani Championship, with “Neftchi” becoming the first 
Champions of Azerbaijan. 
The independence period created an opportunity for Azerbai­
jani football to be represented at the European Cup Games. 
Our clubs debuted at the international games in 1994. “Turan” 
represented Azerbaijan at the UEFA Cup. The first goal was 
kicked by “Neftchi”. 
1992­2011 could be characterised as a time of formation and 
improvement in Azerbaijan, which is defining the contents and 
prospects of the many activities, of the sovereign Football As­
sociation of our republic. 
The state program on the development of Azerbaijani sport 
and in particular football became the main manual for action 
in the development of sport. AFFA, following advice of the 
National Leader Heydar Aliyev and the head of the National 
Olympic committee Ilham Aliyev, planned to increase the rates 
of football construction, moving towards World and European 
standards. 
Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, said the following 
after the winning game at the international tournament “Com­
monwealth Cup” in Saint Petersburg:
“This victory made the Azerbaijani people really happy, it is 
already a great tradition. Our team, for the third time got the 
place at the championship of the “Commonwealth Cup”.
2005 started successfully for our teams, “Neftchi” for the first 
time played in the final of the “Commonwealth Cup” between 
the CIS and Baltic countries. In 1992, when we tried to main­
tain the composition of the National Team, “Neftchi” won 
the Championship, and became the winner of the Super Cup 
between twenty­six teams. In 2006 ­ “Neftchi”, in 2008 ­ “Ha­
zar” Lankaran, and now “Inter” teams have won these repre­
sentative competitions. This is a very big victory, very big event. 
I want to congratulate you ­ the football players, coaches, and 
all sport specialists with this victory once more”. 
The National Leader Heydar Aliyev during his years in power 
and President of the Republic Ilham Aliyev today rendered 
worthy attention to the development of football and fittingly 
valued the achievements of our football players. 

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The President of the Republic Heydar Aliyev presented The 
Order “Shohrat” to A. Mammadov, A. Banishevskiy, and K. 
Tuayev in different years. And the current President of the 
country, Ilham Aliyev also values the achievements of the Azer­
baijani football players, and presented The award “Shohrat” to 
I. Javadov and A. MirJavadov. The President of the country also 
presented The Order “Shohrat” not only to prominent foot­
ball players but to the President of FIFA Joseph Blatter and the 
President UEFA Michel Platini. 
In honor of the 50th Anniversary of UEFA in 2004 the best foot­
ball players, coaches and referees were awarded with diplomas 
from UEFA. Prominent football players Alakbar Mammadov, Ka­
zbek Tuayev, Isgandar Javadov, coach Agasalim MirJavadov and 
referee Rustam Rahimov were amongst those awarded. 
With the help of the International Football Organisation, the 
“Shafa” stadium was built and officially opened on October 
13th 2004; the office building of AFFA was opened officially on 
17th October 2007, and the Football Academy was opened on 
23rd February 2009. 
Now, AFFA presented to the young football fans three more 
stadiums – in Mardakan (5 000 seats), Bayil (3 000 seats), 
and 8th km (11 000 seats). In addition, more than 100 play­
grounds with synthetic grass were provided for teenagers 
to use. On February 23rd 2009 the opening ceremony of 
the “Football Academy” was held, which was built with the 
financial support of UEFA and AFFA. The President of AFFA, 
Rovnag Abdullayev, members of the FIFA Executive Com­
mittee, the vice president of UEFA Shines Erzik, the techni­
cal director of FIFA Jan Michel Benezet all took part in the 
opening ceremony. The “Football Academy” was built in a 
modern and great style. There is a capacity for 27 players to 
study at the Academy. The Academy has twelve bedrooms 
and is state of the art boasting a conference hall, high speed 
internet, computer rooms, coach’s rooms, a massage room, 
fitness hall, swimming pool and sauna. The high technology 
equipment for training the united teams before competitions 
is ready and available at the Academy. 
The President of the Azerbaijan Republic signed the decree 
“The Government Program on the development of the Azer­
baijani Football” in 2005­2015. According to this program a lot 
of activities are now implemented in Azerbaijan. Implementing 
the “Government Program on the development of Azerbaijani 
football” (signed by the President of our country), AFFA con­
tribute greatly to making football a game for masses, bringing 

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in new talented names to Azeri football, creating good oppor­
tunities for football players and promoting the development of 
football for children.
After the “Ball Festival” held in Baku on 16th December 2007, 
similar events were held in other regions of Azerbaijan. Recent­
ly, there have been many projects aimed at bringing football 
to the masses of Azerbaijan. The purpose of these projects is 
not just to bring football to the masses, but is also designed to 
get young people interested in football so as to direct them 
towards a healthy life style and to prevent them from develop­
ing bad habits. One of these projects is creating synthetic grass 
pitches for the young football players. AFFA have created a lot 
of these synthetic grass playgrounds for children, teenagers 
and young players in Baku and in the regions of the Republic. 
This creates opportunities for children and football fans to play 
football in their yards and suburbs. These football fields (play­
grounds) were also created in the schoolyards. In the frame of 
the “Government Program of the Development of Azerbaijani 
Football” the AFFA and the Ministry of Education of Azerbai­
jan agreed on a project providing football lessons (training) in 
schools. 
The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, highly values the de­
velopment of football in Azerbaijan. At the opening ceremony 
of the “KUR” Olympic Training­Sport Center the President of 
Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said: 
“Our team is young and shows a great willingness to work. Of 
course, they should work hard in order to become profession­
als. But we notice and we are glad, that our National team and 
clubs demonstrate the respectful game during the interna­
tional competitions. I am sure, that football will develop greatly 
in Azerbaijan and reach a high level. We just need time and 
patience for that. I am sure that in several years, every football 
player will make his fans glad and happy”. 
People have been playing football in Azerbaijan for the last 
100 years, all over the country, in Baku, in cities and in villages. 
Today, when we celebrate the 100th year of Azerbaijan foot­
ball, and listen to all the warm words and wishes, we are also 
looking forward to new achievements and new results! 

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