OREANDA-NEWS. October 3, 2007. The president of SOCAR Rovnag Abdullayev received the sportsmen of "Neftchi" Sport and Health Center who are licensed to participate in Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games. After warm greetings, the president of SOCAR congratulated the sportsmen for their achievements, and conveyed his best wishes. The president of SOCAR talked about the successful implementation of the "State Program on socio-economic development of the Regions" lead by the President of Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev, and highlighted the works done within that program. He noted that great accomplishments in oil and gas sector had also contributed to the progress of sports, as well as to the development of other fields in our country. He also talked about the necessary measures taken by the government to stimulate the interest of teenagers and youth to sports in our Republic.

The president of SOCAR highly estimated the leading role of sports to bring up healthy and educated generation. He noted that "Neftchi" Sport and Health Center plays an important role to maintain and to improve the health conditions of oil workers. He noted that the center also takes part in promoting the different types of sports. Mr. Abdullayev emphasized that the special attention shown by President Ilham Aliyev inspires the members of the center to strive for tremendous achievements and to pay honor to their motherland. Being proud of the achievements of the members of "Neftchi" Sport and Health Center at Senior World Championship 2007 taken place at Baku last September, the president of SOCAR put emphasis on the success of Farid Mansurov, World Champion in 66 kg weight category, who won license to Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games. He mentioned that Farid Mansurov is the only wrestler in Azerbaijan who won both Olympic Champion (Athens 2004) and World Champion titles.

R. Abdullayev also proudly talked about Elnur Mammadli, European Champion of 2006, the silver medal winner (at 73 kg) of World Judo Championship hosted by Brazil, from September 13th through the 16th. He mentioned that Elnur Mammadli is the second sportsman who became finalist of the world championship on that type of sport. The president of SOCAR highly estimated the achievement of Rovshan Bayramov European Champion on Greco-Roman wrestling who defeated Armenian wrestler at 55 kg weight category at Baku 2007 World Championship. Also, he congratulated Ramil Guliyev, 200 m runner and silver medal winner at World Youth Championships in Athletics held in Czech Republic, from July 11 to July 15. R. Abdullayev stated that SOCAR will continue to contribute to the development of sports in Azerbaijan. The president of SOCAR asked the head of "Neftchi" Sport and Health Center for mobilizing their energy to increase the number of licenses for Beijing Olympiad, and promised to provide all necessary assistance. At the end of meeting, the sportsmen and the trainers were presented valuable gifts on behalf of SOCAR. The sportsmen, the trainers and Rauf Aliyev, Member of Parliament expressed gratitude to the presidence of the Republic for their intense interest and care to sports, by adding that, SOCAR's special attitude encourages the sportsmen to gain new victories.