CIS Games: Eight sports competitions kick off across Azerbaijan today

The 3rd CIS Games continue today with competitions in eight sports taking place across several cities of Azerbaijan.

At the Gabala Olympic Complex, decisive matches in table tennis will be played, while the Gabala City Stadium will host U16 football fixtures. In Group B, Belarus faces Uzbekistan, and in Group A, Kyrgyzstan meets Tajikistan, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

The Gabala Shooting Club is set to stage both the qualifying and final rounds of the clay pigeon shooting events.

In Ganja, the Sports Palace will see swimming competitions continue, alongside the opening of volleyball matches. The Azerbaijani team will play Tajikistan in Group A, while Belarus takes on Kyrgyzstan in Group B.

The Goygol Olympic Complex will determine the winners in sambo, while the Yevlakh Olympic Sports Complex hosts the opening boxing bouts. Meanwhile, the Mingachevir Olympic Centre “Kur” will serve as the venue for taekwondo contests.

The CIS Games, bringing together young athletes from across the Commonwealth, showcase a wide range of sports and continue to strengthen ties between participating nations.

The city of Ganja has been designated the “Sports Capital” of the 3rd CIS Games, following a decision made at the meeting of the Physical Culture and Sports Council of CIS member states in Minsk, Belarus.

This year’s edition of the Games runs until October 8, with competitions held at 12 venues across Azerbaijan. Athletes are competing for a total of 1,694 medals — including 505 gold, 505 silver, and 684 bronze — in 23 sports disciplines. In addition to the main awards, special prizes will be presented to athletes who make outstanding contributions to their teams’ success.

The CIS Games were first held in 2021 in Kazan, Russia, and the second edition took place in 2023 in Minsk, Belarus.

By Vugar Khalilov