Israfil Ashurly: “We need young champions”

Interview by Yeugeny Krishtalyev and Kirill Popov, exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza

The head of the Alpinism Federation of Azerbaijan, Israfil Ashurly, was elected the president of the Youth Commission in the UIAA. A representative of Azerbaijan has been appointed to such an important position in a major international sporting organization for the first time. Israfil Ashurly told Vestnik Kavkaza what a new appointment means to him, what duties he has to fulfill and what opportunities he gains.

-          What targets does the UIAA Youth Commission have?

-          The UIAA is an international organization of alpinism with the headquarters in Bern. It consists of several committees, so-called commissions. Two leading commissions are on ice climbing and on the youth. The Youth Commission is responsible for development and popularization of alpinism among young people, not only alpinism, but also other disciplines connected with it: ice climbing, rock climbing, tracking in mountains, as well as the so-called mountain culture. Children learn the rules of being in mountains and environmental aspects. The activity of the Youth Commission is similar to that of the American scout movement, but ours is wider. We organize special youth sporting festivals, sporting camps in various countries of the world: Spain, France, Chili, and even the Caucasus region.

-          What importance does your appointment to the position of the head of the Youth Commission have for Azerbaijan and the whole Caucasus region?

-          The main thing is that a representative of Azerbaijan got a position in an international organization. Moreover, I became not a member, but a head of one of commissions. I think this moment is very important, including for me. This event should be considered as recognition of the policy provided by the Azerbaijani authorities and especially President Ilham Aliyev on popularization of the sporting movement. There are few countries where president heads the National Olympic Committee and attentively treats sporting problems.

Along with political importance, my appointment will give us an opportunity to participate and head all major projects of the UIAA, including global, as all continents can be involved into competitions.

I would like to speak about Azerbaijan too. Everybody knows that our country is situated in the Caucasus, but people usually talk about the Georgian or the Russian Caucasus, even though Azerbaijani mountains are very beautiful and perfect for youth festivals. One of our targets which will contribute to popularization of alpinism and alpinist movement in Azerbaijan and the whole region: Georgia, the south of Russia, Iran, Turkey. It is implementation of an interesting project which would shift the accent in the festivals “Europe-Asia” to the territory of Azerbaijan.

Today we participate in organization of the first world ice climbing championship among young people. This experience could be used in Azerbaijan in the future.

We have a big society of Azerbaijani alpinists and climbers, which continues to grow. I wish it were closer to European and international standards. Given new opportunities after going to the international platform, the movement will get a new impulse. Of course working in the international structure will take a lot of time, but all moments I have mentioned will definitely be reflected in Azerbaijani youth sporting policy.

It is no secret we need champions. Everybody loves it, notwithstanding whether it is an Olympic kind of sport or not. But athletes should be raised. Our task is to raise them from childhood and detect the most promising athletes.

-          When will ice climbing be included into the Olympic program?

-          A kind of sport, first of all, should be recognized as an Olympic kind of sport for competing for being included into the Olympic program. It is our first step. The Olympic Committee initially recognizes existence of a certain federation and confirms that it is interesting to it. Then, one of federation’s disciplines is nominated to the list of the Olympic kinds of sport, the Olympic Family.

The next rather long stage is gaining a place in the program of the winter or summer Olympic Games. The requirements are participation of athletes from a certain number of continents, certain number of countries; children and Paralympic competition should take place. Commissioners from the IOC can be present at any competitions. There are certain requirements on audience appeal, working with the mass media, the permanent dialogue with the Olympic committee. I think we have rather good chances, despite numerous candidates for being an Olympic kind of sport. Due to the UIAA efforts, ice climbing was included into the cultural program of the Olympic Games in 2014 in Sochi. The audience will have a chance to learn about this kind of sport and appreciate it. In 2018 the Games will take place in South Korea. This country is one of the leaders in ice climbing; it is very popular there. Their bright show will contribute to recognition of our kind of sport too.

The Ice Climbing Commission has begun to sign sponsor contracts with the American company North Face. The contract is for 6 years. We are knocking at the Olympic doors.

-          What are your future plans? Will you go to mountains?

-          This year I have a lot of organizational work and I couldn’t participate in the nearest expeditions. I organized three expeditions for our mountain youth team. I had to sacrifice my private plans and miss the expedition to K2. But it’s worth it. The guys did their best. They got three climbing in one season, all are more than 7 thousand meters.

Nest year I will participate in an expedition to Karakorum or the Himalayas – higher than 8 thousand meters. For the first time the expedition will be completely Azerbaijani. Previously we participated in such arrangements only within international groups. The current Azerbaijani team is strong and young. The preview of the next expeditions will be made in December-January.