DEVELOPMENT
The rebuilding of Azerbaijan
Just 20 years after independence from the
Soviet Union, Azerbaijan has started to
make its name known in the rowing world.
They have done it with the backing of the
government which has overseen the
reconstruction and development of the
Mingachevir Olympic Training Centre. The
government has also provided financing
that has brought athletes and coaches from
other countries to be part of the Azerbaijan
rowing system.
track and hotel and apartment accommodation
for coaches and athletes.
Aleksandar Aleksandrov
from Azerbaijan won silver
in the men’s single sculls
at the 2010 World Rowing
Under 23 Championships.
Under the Soviet sports system the training
centre in Mingachevir was used as a winter training
destination with its mild climate, calm waters
and 18km of uninterrupted rowing possible. The
centre went into disuse through the 1990s and it
wasn’t until 2007 that a concerted effort began
to not only bring it back to its former glory, but
improve it to a world class level.
“At the moment we have only about 100 rowers,
from beginner to high performance athletes
around the country,” says Hauffe. “At the training
centre in Mingachevir there are 15 rowers, this is
the national team.”
In 2010, and with a price tag of 38 million
Euros, the centre reopened. The push for its
development came directly from President
Aliyev who is a big supporter and specified
directly to the Minister of Youth and Sport what
he expected. The centre contains a swimming
pool, gyms, boatshed, weights room, finish
tower, spectator grandstand, tennis courts, a
Azerbaijan’s best rower is Alexander Alexandrov
who first found success rowing for Bulgaria.
Alexandrov is one of four Bulgarian recruits. “Most
of our athletes are students,” says Hauffe. “We
also have soldiers during their military service
and we also have full-time athletes.”
The Azerbaijan Rowing Federation hopes to
make the sport popular across the country >
