UEFA's website writes about Ilham Aliyev's participation in opening of Shamakhi city stadium

An article about the newly opened Shamakhi city stadium in Azerbaijan has been published on UEFA's official website, Report informs.

The article notes that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev attended the opening ceremony.

UEFA's HatTrick program, which channels EURO revenues into football development across Europe, has helped the AFFA improve its infrastructure to set the game up for success in Azerbaijan.

This support has funded the renovation of the national football technical center in Tovuz, as well as an upgrade to the Shamakhi City Stadium.

According to the article, the 2021–2025 AFFA strategy focuses on five key areas: grassroots, youth football, women's football, infrastructure, club football development.

"Additionally, the AFFA is working on digitalizing many of its processes, with ambitious plans for a digital ecosystem incorporating an interactive football map, club licensing platforms, and online football educational programs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the association soundly guided its clubs through a difficult period and launched a protocol (in line with the UEFA Return to Play Protocol) detailing medical and organizational requirements to be followed during matches, providing financial support to clubs and the women's national team."

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva attended the opening of the Shamakhi city stadium on November 1. AFFA Executive Vice President Elkhan Mammadov briefed the President and the First Lady on the work done.