With one year to go until the 4^th Islamic Solidarity Games begin in Baku, senior executives from the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF) Coordination Commission arrived in Azerbaijan’s capital city today to evaluate preparations for the Games.

The Coordination Commission’s delegates, chaired by Col. Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, attended a series of presentations delivered by the Azerbaijan Islamic Games Operations Committee (AISGOC). The seminar provided detailed updates on the event venues, sports programme, opening and closing ceremonies, and other organisational developments.

The ISSF delegates will also attend an official gala dinner to mark the One Year to Go milestone and will join the residents of Baku in beginning the countdown to the opening of the Games.

Col. Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, 1^st Vice President of ISSF and the Chairman of the Coordination Commission, said:

“Azerbaijan is a country with a strong heritage in the sporting world and we are sure that as host of the 4^th Islamic Solidarity Games it will put on a world class event for athletes and spectators. We were delighted to be back in Baku and to hear about the significant and impressive progress made in preparations. We appreciate the team spirit of the Organising Committee and are looking forward to celebrating the one year to go milestone.”

Mr. Azad Rahimov, Minister of Youth and Sports of Republic of Azerbaijan and CEO of AISGOC, said:

“Hosting the Coordination Commission here in Baku once again has given us the opportunity to update them on the significant progress we have made since their last visit and receive their valuable input into our operational plans. Azerbaijan has a reputation of delivering big sporting events successfully and we are confident the Coordination Commission was impressed with our progress. We look forward to hosting the next Islamic Solidarity Games in our capital city in May next year.”