Baku. 10 March. REPORT.AZ/ Opening ceremony of Grand Slam judo tournament was held at Sports Palace named after Heydar Aliyev.
Report informs, firstly, 31 participating countries were presented at the ceremony.
Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Ismayil Ismayilov said that holding of a prestigious Grand Slam tournament in the capital of Azerbaijan is a result of the state care to sport. He showed first European Games in Baku, Formula 1 Grand Prix, various world and European championships as examples. Deputy Minister said that judo is one of the most popular sports in Azerbaijan. I.Ismayilov noted a number of medals, won at Summer Olympic Games, European and World Championships, wished success to 184 judokas from 31 countries.
International Judo Federation (IJF) President Marius Vizer expressed congratulations to President Ilham Aliyev and Azerbaijan Judo Federation (AJF) President Rovnag Abdullayev for supporting organization of the Grand Slam every year. He congratulated AJF for organizing such a successful event.
Rovnag Abdullayev, President of Azerbaijan Judo Federation (AJF), thanked the participants for accepting invitation and participation in the tournament. He said that the Grand Slam has become a tradition and great judo holiday in Azerbaijan. R.Abdullayev opened the tournament.
After playing of national anthems of the IJF and Azerbaijan, the event continued with the second part.
Notably, The Grand Slam that will bring together 110 male and 73 female judokas, will end on March 12.