A symbolic ceremony to herald the forthcoming Islamic Solidarity Games, due to take place in Azerbaijan in May, was held in Baku on Thursday, 5 April.
President Ilham Aliyev and his family and a number of Azerbaijani personalities also attended the event. Also present was the President of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF) and President of Saudi Arabia`s National Olympic Committee Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz al Saud.
A spokesperson for the Games said that during the launch ceremony, 16 children from across Azerbaijan were presented with a copper Baku 2017 Water Vessel, containing water from the Caspian Sea, which they will take back to their home towns and cities. In doing so, they will bring the spirit of the Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games to the people of Azerbaijan.
Teams from more than fifty Islamic countries are expected to participate in the Games which will open on 12 May.
source: commonspace.eu
