Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation among meritorious federations awarded by FIG

/By AzerNews/

By Amina Nazarli

Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation takes the third place among the International Federation of Gymnastics affiliated Federations distinguished to be meritorious for the year 2014.

The decision was made at the Ordinary Meeting of the FIG Executive Committee held at its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland in late February 2015.

The annual award programme is established to distinguish the Federations based on their international activities including participation in World Cup and at least at 10 World Cup series, FIG Congress, FIG Symposium, FIG Academies for coaches and etc. and the respect of deadlines for all the above mentioned events.

Other countries awarded are Belarus (1), Bulgaria (2), Russia (4) and China (5).

The meritorious Federations are awarded with a cash reward allocated for the places accordingly 1st place - CHF 15,000-, 2nd place – 12,500-, 3rd place – 10,000-, 4th place – 7,500- and 5th place 5,000.

An establishment and development of gymnastics in Azerbaijan dates back to the 1940s. The popularization of this sports discipline within a very short period of time favored the organization, and, in 1956, Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation was founded.

After Azerbaijan gained independence in 1991, the federation became a member of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) in 1993 and European Union of Gymnastics (UEG) in 1996.

In 2002, men’s artistic gymnastics, acrobatics and tumbling were merged into a single federation, whose president became First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva.

Since 2013, the Federation began to develop women's artistic gymnastics, and from 2014 - trampoline and aerobics. Currently, Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation includes six disciplines such as Rhythmic Gymnastics, Acrobatic Gymnastics, Aerobic Gymnastics, Women's Gymnastics, Men's Artistic Gymnastics, and Trampoline and Tumbling.