By Duncan Mackay
February 8 – Baku 2020 has appointed Elkhan Mammadov, the general secretary of the Azerbaijani Football Association (AFFA), as its new head of communications for its bid to host the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.
In addition to his new role with the 2020, the 32-year-old is also currently responsible for overseeing preparations for the Under-17 FIFA Women’s World Cup taking place in Baku in September this year.
Mammadov is also vice-president of the UEFA Social Responsibility and Fair Play Committee and a UEFA match delegate.
“It is a privilege to be asked to join the Baku 2020 Bid Committee and I am delighted and honoured to do so,” he said.
“This Bid has overwhelming support from all the citizens of Azerbaijan.
“And, like the Under-17 Women’s World Cup, hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Baku in 2020 will be an opportunity to engage and inspire the young men and women of Azerbaijan to better understand the world around them – and to embrace the Olympic values of respect, friendship and fair play.
“It will also enable youngsters from around the world to gain a true picture of Azerbaijani culture and hospitality.”
Minister for Youth and Sports, Azad Rahimov, backed Mammadov to help enhance Baku’s chances of making the shortlist when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) assesses its bid along with rivals Doha, Istanbul, Madrid, Rome and Tokyo.
“I am extremely happy that Elkhan has joined the Bid Committee,” he said.
“He has done an amazing job with developing football in Azerbaijan, in particular the women’s game in recent years.
“Elkhan is very well respected in the world of international sports and he will be a huge asset to our Bid.”
Konul Nurullayeva, the chief executive of Baku 2020, claimed that Mammadov’s appointment fitted in with the bid’s philosphy.
“I am delighted that Elkhan is joining the Bid team,” she said.
“Our bid is all about enabling Azerbaijan’s young sportsmen and sportswomen to realise their true potential – and Elkhan is already doing that magnificently in football, especially in the way he has built an under-17 women’s side from scratch that is now ready to take on the best in the world later this year.
“The bid also aims to accelerate the development of team sports in Azerbaijan, and I am sure that with Elkhan’s great football experience, together we can do just that.”
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