Azerbaijan, Baku, May 26 / Trend /
On May 24, the co-operation agreement has been signed between Azercell Telecom LLC, the leading mobile operator of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijan Football Federations Association (AFFA). In accordance with this agreement, Azercell will bring its special contribution to the development of football in Azerbaijan, the company said.
Prior to the signature of this agreement, Rovnag Abdullayev, the President of AFFA and the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic has taken floor and said the following about the start-up of this significant co-operation of the basis of document: "Now is the period of reforms for Azerbaijani football. Many changes have taken place in this field as Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan has adopted the football development program".
AFFA President has stressed its confidence that the fostering of co-operation between AFFA and Azercell will help to develop football in the country.
Furthermore, Ali Agan, CEO of Azercell Telecom LLC has expressed his views about this agreement. He said that the company led by him has the only goal in Azerbaijan: "Our only goal is to become a company which Azerbaijan can be proud of. Our goal is not measured by figures, manta or dollar. We have done technically a lot in the field of human resources and promotion". We have brought the latest achievements known not only in CIS, but all over the world by trying to be a good example".
Ali Agan has recalled the large social projects implemented by Azercell in the fields of culture, education and etc: "Now, we are determined to support football which is one of the important fields for the development of country. Football has overstepped already its traditional sport boundaries. This game is important also to promote country and tourism. So far, we have witnessed on how AFFA and SOCAR were helpful in promoting Azerbaijani football. Now, we plan to participate also in this work".
Ali Agan has reaffirmed that the document signed between AFFA and Azercell is not a paper of sponsorship, but the common participation and co-operation.
Following the speeches, the first such agreement has been signed in the history of Azerbaijani football. Then, both sides exchanged gifts. Ali Agan has gifted a special mobile phone featuring the logos of AFFA and Azercell to AFFA President. In his turn, Rovnag Abdullayev has offered him the football uniform with signatures of all players of the Azerbaijani National Football Team. Members of the Azerbaijani National Male and Female Teams have participated also in this event. All of them have got valuable gifts from Azercell. The team members have made a family photo with Ali Agan and Rovnag Abdullayev.
In accordance with the terms of the agreement, Azercell Telecom LLC will implement any project supporting the football development in Azerbaijan. In particular, it will help to realize projects related to the development of juvenile football. After the agreement will come into force, it will support financially the broadcasting of football games organized by AFFA. The company will help also the projects in developing a new generation of football players in Azerbaijan.
In accordance with the Agreement between Azercell and AFFA, subscribers of this mobile operator will get announcements by SMS about any football match. This will enable football fans of our country to get news beforehand about games in national level and bring them permanent updates from the world of football. Azercell Telecom will pay a particular attention to the advertising of football players in Azerbaijan. Even scratch cards are planned to be printed with pictures of Azerbaijani football players.
Azercell Telecom has been founded on January 19, 1996. It has started its activities in the same year. The main shareholders of the Company are Telia Sonera and Turkcell. During its activities in Azerbaijan, the company has invested USD1 billion in the country. Currently, Azercell is not only a leading mobile operator, but the largest taxpayer of non-oil sector. Now, Azercell share is more than 60 percent in the telecommunications market of Azerbaijan.
AFFA - Azerbaijani Football Federations Association has been established in March 1992. The official football organization of Azerbaijan has been adopted as a member to UEFA in May 1994 and to FIFA in June 1994. During this period, Azerbaijani National Team has participated in World and European Championships.