Islamic Solidarity Games: Azerbaijani athletes begin competitions

Azerbaijani athletes are set to begin their performances today at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games, held in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

The women’s national volleyball team will play its first match against Iran, with the game kicking off at 14:00, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

Meanwhile, the national futsal team will face Libya in Group A at the Prince Faisal bin Farhan Olympic Complex, starting at 17:00 Baku time.

The opening ceremony of the Islamic Solidarity Games will take place on November 7, while the closing ceremony is scheduled for November 21.

More than 50 OIC member states are expected to take part, with thousands of athletes competing in various disciplines.

The Islamic Solidarity Games are a multi-sport event organised under the auspices of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and overseen by the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF).

Established to strengthen unity and cooperation among Muslim nations, the Games combine athletic competition with cultural exchange and solidarity.

The first edition was held in 2005 in Saudi Arabia, and subsequent editions have taken place in Indonesia, Azerbaijan, and Türkiye.

The event features a wide range of sports, including athletics, swimming, football, volleyball, and martial arts, reflecting both the diversity and shared traditions of participating nations.

Azerbaijan played a significant role in the history of the Islamic Solidarity Games as the host of the fourth edition in 2017. The event took place in Baku from May 12 to 22, 2017, bringing together thousands of athletes from 54 countries.

The motto of the Games was “Solidarity is our strength,” and Azerbaijan emerged as the overall winner with 75 gold, 50 silver, and 37 bronze medals. 

By Jeyhun Aghazada