The Azerbaijan Sports Journalists Association organised an award ceremony in Baku with the support of E-Topaz and Full Energy companies to honour the best sports personalities of 2021.
Speaking at the event, AIJA President Eldar Ismayilov hailed the government for its attention to sports and highlighted the Azerbaijani athletes’ sporting achievements throughout the year.
Ismayilov gave information about the activities of AIJA in recent years. AIJA was established in 1995 and since 1996, the association has also been awarding sports journalists alongside athletes and coaches.
Athletes Rafig Huseynov (wrestling), Rafael Agayev (karate), Haji Aliyev (wrestling) and Irina Zaretskaya (karate) were awarded the Athlete of the Year plaque, Emin Mahmudov and Mahir Emreli were presented the Football Player of the Year award for their achievements at the European, World Championships and Olympic Games in 2021.
Among the sports journalists, Farida Abdulla, the favourite face of ITV television channel’s sports department received her award from the dean of Baku State University, journalist Vugar Zifaroglu. Sport journalists Tural Dadashov (ITV) and Elnur Mammadli (CBC Sport), won the Commentator of the Year award.
The Coach of the Year award was presented to the coach of “Garabagh” football club Gurban Gurbanov and the “Garabagh” club was named the Club of the Year.
The director of “Bal Line” Company Altay Aliyev was awarded a Plaque of Appreciation for his outstanding contribution to the activities of Azerbaijan Sports Journalists Association.
Press Secretary of the Year award was presented to the press secretary of the Azerbaijan Futsal Federation, Mahal Mammadov, the press secretary of the Azerbaijan National Anti-Doping Agency Vamig Nasirov and the press secretary of the Sabah Football Club Elnur Hamidov and the head of Tovuz Youth House Rauf Rustamov.
The dean of the Journalism Faculty of Baku State University Vugar Ziferoglu, who shared his knowledge with sports journalists during the two-month educational marathon held by AIJA before the finals of the European Football Championship in Baku last year, was awarded a special plaque of appreciation.
The Association also honoured the winners of the “Young Sports Reporter of the Year” and “Photo Reporter of the Year”.
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