Azeris attempt to foil World Boxing Championships in Yerevan

December 6, 2012 - 17:45 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - It’s already a week Yerevan is hosting AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships, with over 700 athletes from 68 countries participating.

Boxing Federation of Armenia boasts vast experience in organization of similar events, with Yerevan first hosting 2009 youth championships and international boxing tournaments since 2010.

This year Azerbaijan was among the countries expressing readiness to participate in the event, with Armenia, in turn, pledging to ensure Azeri athletes’ security. As a result, special Tbilisi-Baku charter flight operated for Azerbaijani boxers, who are currently staying at a separate hotel, with a group of security officers constantly guarding them.

Naturally, Azerbaijani sportsmen were not expected to receive standing ovation in Yerevan, with Armenian fans supporting their rivals.

It’s noteworthy that Armenian boxers were stoned and showered with profanities when performing at Baku-hosted 2011 AIBA World Boxing Championships, which left them without support, forcing their friends out of the hall.

Instead, Azerbaijani boxers are free to watch Yerevan championships from separate stands, support their compatriots and take photos, with high-level security constantly ensured.

Even Azerbaijani Minister of Youth and Sports Azad Rahimov confessed a few days ago that their athletes’ security was ensured at highest level.

However, inclusion of Artsakh Republic in the official pamphlet of the championships came as upsetting to Baku delegation.

In response, Vice-President of the Azerbaijan Boxing Federation Aghajan Abiyev stated, “We are looking forward for the Azerbaijani delegation to bring the pamphlet. We will further file the document to the International Boxing Association (AIBA). That’s a political issue. I believe the association is authorized to ban Armenian from hosting further international championships.”

With the pamphlet reflecting the mere reality, AIBA grants its permit, depending on the country’s ability to organize international championships. It’s noteworthy that Yerevan lent a helping hand to the association offering to host the event, after Thailand issued a refusal.

Yerevan championships are coming to an end, leaving only positive and unforgettable emotions. As for the Azerbaijanis… no doubt, they can’t confess even at heart to have liked the championships. They agreed to participate in the event out of reluctance to be indebted to Yerevan due to Armenian athletes’ participation in 2011 Baku-hosted championships.