Azerbaijan may participate in Shanghai Cooperation Organization Games

Azerbaijan may participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Games in the future, Minister of Sports Development of Uzbekistan Adham Ikramov told Report.

According to him, at the first meeting of the youth and sports ministers of 8 member countries of the organization - Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan - it was decided to start the initiative to hold the Games: "Of course, we also have the CIS Games. The main goal is to organize a competition that provides an additional incentive for athletes, not an alternative. As our President said, the pandemic makes us live differently and stronger. In my opinion, this is also a great test and will teach the world to live differently. We are ready to receive Russian athletes. Why should not we hold large-scale competitions with the participation of Russia, Azerbaijan, and other neighboring countries that can stimulate sports development?"

Ikramov said that regarding the number of participants, they do not want to be satisfied with only 8 member countries of the organization:

"There are also observer countries like Azerbaijan and Iran, and negotiations are underway for other partner countries to join us, which is also supported by the Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Zhang Min. He personally attended the first meeting of youth and sports ministers. We will not announce it in secret, on the contrary, there will be great propaganda work. For now, the Working Group is dealing with it. I think that this competition will be at least as enjoyable as the CIS Games. As an observer country, Azerbaijan has the right to confidently support this idea. Because your country will also be invited to this competition, this will happen either in 2022 or next year."