25 YEARS OF HISTORY
25 years have passed since the establishment of the Azerbaijan Sports Journalists Association (AIJA). Each of these 25 years is, no doubt, a bright page in the history of the country's sports media. If we take into account that the independent Republic of Azerbaijan is barely 29 years old, then the figure 25 is glorious and has no small history.
Founded in 1995 by honored journalist Eldar Ismayilov, the Azerbaijan Sports Journalists Association (AIJA) fulfills the mission of the national union of creative professionals in country's sports media and builds a strong international rapport. A year after its establishment, AIJA joined the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) in 1996 and became AIPS member at the 60th World Congress in Oviedo, Spain in May 1997.
Since then, AIJA has been conducting activities to develop the international relations of Azerbaijani sports and sports media, to integrate into Europe and the world, to inform the sports community, sports fans and professionals about the problems and issues of modern sports and to improve the professional skills of media professionals. Today, in the most powerful circles of sports and sports media, AIJA members and associates are respectably fulfilling this mission.
With the support of the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan, the AIJA delegation has taken part in the annual world and continental congresses in Hungary, Canada, Greece, Portugal, Morocco, Switzerland, China, Korea, Qatar, Austria and other countries. AIJA has initiated several unforgettable and remarkable events in the magnificent places of Baku and implemented numerous major projects, increased the number of members and fans from a few to 500 and built a strong rapport with well-known sportswriters from Europe and the world, as well as the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the European Olympic Committee (UOC), the General Assembly of International Sports Federations (GAISF), the World Anti-Doping Committee (WADA), the International Sports Federations, the International University Sports Federation (FISU) and other leading organizations.
As a result of this determined work, both AIJA and its head, Eldar Ismayilov, who has dedicated 54 years of his life to professional journalism, have ensured a well-deserved dignity.
It is no coincidence that on April 28, 2010, at the 32nd General Assembly of the European Sports Press Union (AIPS EUROPE / UEPS) in Antalya, Turkey's tourist paradise, the representative of Azerbaijan Eldar Ismayilov was elected to the AIPS EUROPE Executive Committee. This rewarding event will live in history and memory as our first success in the 145-year history of Azerbaijani journalism in the elections to the leadership of the international media organization.
Due to the representation of our national organization in the leadership of the European Sports Press Union, the schedule of international relations in 2011 was expected to be more flexible and dynamic. That's what happened. In 2011, AIJA representatives successfully participated in 9 international events in different countries.
At the suggestion of the AIJA President, it was decided to bring together the leaders of the European sportswriters' elite - the AIPS EUROPE Executive Committee - in Baku. The Ministry of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan and the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan were involved in the organization of the event with the direct attention and instruction of President Ilham Aliyev. As a result, AIJA was able to hold this high-level event at the newly opened Hilton Hotel in Baku.
At that time, the President of Azerbaijan was on a work visit abroad. Nevertheless, he considered our event carefully. Members of the Executive Committee of the European Sports Press Union, which was also attended by AIPS President Gianni Merlo, were respectfully received in Milli Majlis (National Assembly) of the country. It was a successful and impressive meeting with the Speaker of the Milli Majlis, Mr. Ogtay Asadov. During the conversation, an initiative was put forward to hold one of the AIPS congresses in Baku for the first time in the CIS in recent years.
Subsequently, following the decision of the President of Azerbaijan, on February 12-16, 2012, AIJA President Eldar Ismayilov, 1st vice-president Nargiz Mahmudzadeh, NOC Vice President Chingiz Huseynzadeh, and observers attended the 75th AIPS Congress in Innsbruck, Austria.
The opening ceremony was also attended by the leaders of three states - Austrian President Heinz Fischer, Federal Chancellor Werner Faymann, Prince Feisal ibn Hussein of Jordan, and Prince Albert II of Monaco. The vice-president of the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan, member of AIJA Dr. Chingiz Huseynzadeh and AIJA First Vice President Nargiz Mahmudzadeh proposed to hold the 79th AIPS Congress in Baku in 2014. Our proposal, for the first time in the history of AIPS, was met with approval by the participants of the congress without an official state guarantee letter.
An agreement was signed between AIPS and AIJA in Sochi on April 15-19, 2013 on the arrangement of the 78th Congress in Azerbaijan. On the last day of the congress, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Vitaly Kozak, President of Sports Journalists Federation of Russia, Nikolai Dolgopolov traditionally presented the AIPS flag to the representatives of Azerbaijan - Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan, Chingiz Huseynzade and President of the Association of Sports Journalists of Azerbaijan, Eldar Ismayilov.
The AIPS Europe General Assembly was held at the Marriott Absheron Hotel in Baku on April 26, 2014. Elections to the organization's Executive Committee were held here for the next four years. AIJA President Eldar Ismayilov was re-elected to the AIPS Europe Executive Committee.
That evening, at the banquet given in honor of the congress participants, the brilliant speech of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, left unforgettable marks on the memory of the guests.
From April 27 to May 1, 2014, the congress, which coincided with the 90th anniversary of AIPS, was successfully held in Baku.
In the following years, AIJA's worldwide activities continued successfully and keep going on to this day.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which challenges humanity, mass gatherings are restricted in Azerbaijan. For this reason, AIJA cannot officially celebrate its 25th anniversary. Nevertheless, since its establishment in 1995, the Azerbaijan Sports Journalists Association has initiated hundreds of important projects in the country and arranged various events of local and international importance. Today, it continues its mission with dignity. There are 25 years behind it that have become history.
Nargiz Mahmudzada,
AIJA 1st Vice-president
AIPS member
