"Turan" First President: How long will clubs live at the expense of AFFA?

Baku. 28 April. REPORT.AZ/ “We all have one idea - “Turan Tovuz” should be among the strong teams; it's impossible to imagine Azerbaijani football without this team. But thoughts and desires are one side, and reality is another. If we want the development of Azerbaijani football, this team must necessarily play in the Premier League”.

Former president of the club "Turan" Vidadi Ahmadov told Report, commenting on the victory of the club in I Division and obtained pass to the Premier League.

According to the former president, at least AZN 600,000-700,000 required for participation of "Turan Tovuz" in the Premier League. Of these, AZN 500,000 at the request of licensing should be for a bank guarantee: “We are grateful to AFFA for the help to the clubs. They did a lot of work. Unfortunately, it is difficult to keep up everywhere. It always seems easier from the outside. I was in this business myself; I know what the football club means. Large funds are needed”.

The former head of club reacted to the issue globally, calling expedient the exemption from taxes of businessmen supporting sport: “Earlier there was an item in the Azerbaijan legislation on exemption from income tax; I don’t know what about now. If it is impossible to completely exempt from taxes, other benefits can be provided. It is necessary to look at the experience of other countries. How long will the clubs live at the expense of AFFA? We need to implement changes, consider other options. There is only one way out - to turn to the experience of other countries”.

Notably, Vidadi Ahmadov in 1992-2002 was the president of the club "Turan". The club reached its highest achievements under the leadership of V.Ahmedov. In 1994, the Tovuz team won the Azerbaijan championship, in 1995 - won the silver, in 1992 and 1993 - bronze medals.