Islamic Solidarity Games 2017 officially start in Baku

The 4th Islamic Solidarity Games has started in Baku. Rhythmic gymnastics, boxing, volleyball, handball and tennis events will be held today.

At 11:00am (MSK), qualifying competitions on individual performances of gymnasts in exercises with a hoop and ball. Individual qualifications in exercises with clubs and ribbon will be held on May 13. The results of the individual all-round qualifications will be also defined tomorrow. The finals for certain categories will be held on Sunday. Azerbaijan is represented by gymnasts Marina Durunda, Zhala Piriyeva and Zohra Aghamirova.

Boxing competitions in four weight categories will start at 11:00am (MSK). Javid Chalabiyev (60 kg), Tamerlan Abdullayev (69 kg), Kamran Shahsuvarli (75 kg) and Magomedrasul Medzhidov (+91 kg) will represent Azerbaijan in the competitions.

Men’s handball teams will have matches today for 5th-6th (Azerbaijan - Morocco) and 7th-8th places (Pakistan - Jordan). As part of the volleyball competitions, Qatar will face Algeria (09:00am), and the Iranian team will face Saudi Arabians (11:30am). Tennis men’s and women’s qualifying competitions will also be held today.

The opening ceremony of the Games will take place at 21:00 (MSK) at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The ceremony will last two hours. Art masters will show guests examples of Azerbaijani and Islamic culture, it will end with the parade of athletes and fireworks.

The 4th Islamic Solidarity Games started May 8 and will last until May 22 in Baku on 16 sports grounds in 20 sports – 17 Olympic ones and three non-Olympic ones.