On December 17, 2015 – National Olympic Committe and Worldwide Partner of Olympic Games Coca-Cola together with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan have announced the launch of ‘Olympic Moves’, new innovative mass sport program for schoolchildren in Azerbaijan. Olympic Moves is an international school sport program created by Coca-Cola and the International Olympic Committee in 2001 in partnership with the Netherlands Olympic Committee.

Speaking at the press-conference Mr. Chingiz Huseynzadeh, the Vice President of National Olympic Committee said: ‘We are very happy to start “Olympic Moves” program for schoolchildren in Azerbaijan. “Olympic Moves” was initiated by the International Olympic Committee and Coca-Cola in Netherlands and is set to expand to other countries. We welcome and support such important initiative to promote active living among teenagers and delighted to be the next country embracing this move. I am confident that “Olympic Moves” will further enhance participation of teens in regular physical activities and will spread the joy of active lifestyle to most of the schools in Baku. I would also like to thank Coca-Cola for its commitment to and continuous support to active lifestyle and Olympic values. We have started the partnership with Coca-Cola in support sports and Olympic Movement in Azerbaijan since 1996. I would also like the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Youth & Sport as well as the national federations for their support to the project.’

Mr. Mikayil Jabbarov, the Minister of Education of Azerbaijan talked about importance of increasing participation of schoolchildren into sports and active lifestyle. He expressed the fuyll support of the Ministry to “Olympic Moves” and underlined the positive impact of regular physical activities in education process and performance of schoolchildren. “Involvement of about 50,000 schoolchildren in the Olympic Moves program will help strengthen not only physical well-being of teens but will also improve their psychological state, strengthen their self-confidence and subsequently will help their school performance.” He also informed that following the school competitions about 10,000 schoolchildren will participate in district championships, while more than 1,000 will take part in Baku Finals. According to Mr. Jabbarov, 12 children & youth sport centers of the Ministry will be supporting the program.

Mr. Azad Rahimov, the Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan also spoke at the press-conference and stated that implementation of “Olympic Moves” is in line with the government’s policy to increase the number of people in Azerbaijan engaged in sports and regular physical activities. ‘Implementation of this program in Azerbaijan is both an indicator of development of our country and a great incentive for healthy life style among the population. It is great to see Coca-Cola, International Olympic Committee, National Olympic Committee, Federations and the government of Azerbaijan partnering to get 50,000 students be more active and healthier.’

Mr. Cem Becel, General Manager of Azerbaijan Coca-Cola Bottlers said that sports is one of the greatest passions of Coca-Cola consumers worldwide and explained how Coca-Cola’s long-standing association with Olympic Movement helps get teens moving as part of Coca-Cola’s commitment to fostering healthier, happier and more active communities. “At Coca-Cola, we believe that active and healthy living leads to happier and healthier lives, which benefit the overall well-being of communities. This is the reason why Coca-Cola has been supporting Olympic Movement worldwide since 1928. The Coca-Cola system is also committed to partner with the Azerbaijani government in promoting healthy and active living. In close partnership with our partners, National Olympic Committee, Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, we have been implementing a few large scale programs. As a contribution to the sports legacy of Baku-2015 first European Games today we are launching ‘Olympic Moves’ I am confident that Olympic Moves program will be loved by all schools, schoolchildren of Baku and their parents.’

National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan made a presentation for the media and guests to share the details of the program that will last 2 months. NOC Azerbaijan presented the Facebook fan page of Olympic Moves and also introduced athlete Ambassadors of Olympic Moves program – Amil Hamzayev (Bascekball 3×3), Agshin İsmayilov (Cycling), Nazim Babayev (Athletics) and Orkhan Galandarov (Badminton). National Olympic Ambassadors of Azerbaijan Farid Mansurov (Wrestling Olympic Champion) and Tunzala Agayeva (pop celebrity and Baku-2015 Ambassador) also joined the event to express their passion for sports and support for Olympic Moves.

Olympic Moves will directly engage 50,000 teens from about 400 schools of Baku into regular sport activities in athletics, cycling, basketball and badminton. Regular sport exercises in 4 disciplines start in schools followed with school championships and inter-school tournaments that will culminate in Olympic Moves Baku Finals. Baku Finals, the largest school sport event of the country, will take place in one of Baku-2015 sport venues.

You can follow all activities of program here:

Facebook www.facebook.com/OlympicMovesAZE

İnstagram www.instagram.com/OlympicMovesAZE

Twitter www.twitter.com/OlympicMovesAZE