August 20, 2009 - 17:10 AMT
Aleksan Avetisyan: Azerbaijan has already received security guarantees
"Security issues for European Youth Championship participants are resolved. Claims in that regard were made not only by Azerbaijan but also Israel and Turkey. Azerbaijan has already received security guarantees and has therefore sent us a nominal notice," RA Judo Federation President Aleksan Avetisyan told a news conference devoted to upcoming European Judo Championship.

"Let me note that Azerbaijan's team has not yet made hotel reservations; we are even unaware of their itinerary. Azerbaijan is greatly interested in championship. The issue is dealt with by President Ilham Aliyev who is also Azerbaijan's National Olympic Committee's Chair," Avetisyan said.

"So far, 40 countries have applied for participation. That's a record number for European youth championship. Almost all participant countries have reserved hotel rooms."

"About 2.5 years ago, we started preparing for championship. There are a number of states which will participate in both male and female tournaments, representing sportsmen at all 8 weights. Those countries are France, Russia, Holland, England, Georgia, Ukraine and Serbia. Some countries, such as Albania and Monaco, are participating in championship for the first time," he noted.

Several guests of honor, including International Judo Federation President Marius L. Vizer, are expected to visit Yerevan. The latter has given positive reply to the official invitation sent in this connection.