Nargiz Mahmudzada

The Executive Committee of the Azerbaijan Sports Journalists Association (AİJA) convened on April 15 to deliberate on the forthcoming 30th anniversary of the organization, established in 1995 by renowned journalist Eldar Ismayilov, who is also the president of the association.

Presiding over the meeting, Ismayilov highlighted the significance of the upcoming milestone, coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the Azerbaijani national press. He expressed pride in AİJA’s three-decade contribution to the nation’s media landscape, stating, “AİJA’s integration into our national press history is a source of great pride.” 

The committee discussed strategies to commemorate the anniversary, emphasizing the importance of raising both public and governmental awareness of AİJA’s role in sports journalism. AİJA General Secretary Rovshan Binnatli, a veteran journalist who has dedicated his entire career to sports media, emphasized the importance of raising public and government awareness about AİJA’s contributions. He stated, “AIJA’s activities should be promoted throughout the republic to ensure they reach society at large. The association’s pivotal role in sports journalism must be made clear and visible so that everyone becomes familiar with our organization’s work over these three decades.”

Committee members, including Nargiz Mahmudzada, Ramin Allahverdiyev, Rizvan Jafarov, Rustam Ismayilov, Salatin Miriyeva, Madina Karahan, and Gunay Mahmudova, proposed a series of events to celebrate the anniversary. These initiatives aim to honor AİJA’s legacy and promote the future of sports journalism in Azerbaijan. 

AİJA Vice-president Ramin Allahverdiyev expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming celebrations, stating, “This anniversary is not just a reflection of our past achievements but also a stepping stone towards our future endeavors in enhancing sports journalism. We will continue to uphold our commitment, fostering a vibrant and dynamic sports media environment in Azerbaijan."