Azerbaijan claims victory at first-ever European Chovken Championship in Poland PHOTO

The Azerbaijani national Chovken team has been crowned European champion for the first time in history.

The triumph came at the European Chovken Championship, organised by the International Chovken Federation and held in Poland from June 5-7, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

The Azerbaijani team delivered a commanding performance throughout the tournament, culminating in a decisive 6-2 victory over Malta in the final match. With this remarkable win, the team not only claimed the championship trophy but also marked a new chapter in the history of the ancient equestrian sport.

The tournament featured teams from six countries: Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Hungary, Malta, Poland, and the UK. Azerbaijan began their campaign on June 5 with an impressive 3-0 victory against Türkiye. In the semifinals, they maintained their dominance with a 4-0 win over Hungary, securing a place in the final.

The International Chovken Federation has also announced upcoming continental championships, with the Asian Championship set for early September in Uzbekistan, the African Championship later that month in Nigeria, and the South American Championship scheduled for November in Buenos Aires.

For the record, the European Chovken Championship is a newly established international competition aimed at promoting and developing the ancient equestrian sport across the continent. Organised by the International Chovken Federation, the championship brings together national teams from Europe and beyond to compete at a high level and foster cultural exchange through sport.

Chovken is an ancient equestrian team sport deeply rooted in Azerbaijani culture and the broader Caucasus region. Often regarded as a traditional precursor to modern polo, Chovken is played on horseback with short-handled mallets and a leather ball, requiring exceptional skill in horsemanship, agility, and teamwork. Historically popular among nobility and commoners alike, the game was frequently featured in royal courts and village festivities. In recent decades, Azerbaijan has spearheaded efforts to revive and promote the sport both nationally and internationally. In 2013, UNESCO inscribed Chovken on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, a recognition that has further stimulated preservation initiatives and global awareness of this unique sporting tradition.

By Khagan Isayev