Diplomacy

Lalovic Visits Baku, Meets President Aliyev

By United World Wrestling Press

BAKU (April 29) -- United World Wrestling Nenad Lalovic has traveled to Baku to meet with Ilham Aliyev President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Lalovic presented Aliyev with the UWW Golden Order, in recognition of the president's role in development of international wrestling. The Golden Order is the highest honor in international wrestling. 

Lalovic also congratulated Aliyev on his recent re-election as president and hailed the excellent organization of the Formula 1 race in Baku. He also described Azerbaijan as one of the world's leading countries in wrestling.

Saying that Azerbaijan is hosting prestigious international sporting events, Lalovic also mentioned the success fo the first European Games, which were held in Baku in 2015. Lalovic also emphasized Azerbaija'ss recent silver medal performance at the Freestyle World Cup in Iowa City, United States.

President Aliyev thanked Lalovic for his leadership and said the development of sport in Azerbaijan is crucial to raising the healthy young generation and sporting prospects.

 

#UnitedWorldWrestling

UWW President Lalovic meets Azerbaijan Economic Minister, federation President Jabbarov

By United World Wrestling Press

BAKU, Azerbaijan (December 12) -- United World Wrestling President Nenad LALOVIC met with Economic Minister of Azerbaijan Mikayil JABBAROV, who is also the President of the Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation, in Baku on Wednesday.

They were accompanied by Namik ALIYEV, UWW Bureau Member and Gordon TEMPLEMAN, Director of Commercial Operations & Communications at UWW.

The discussions between the two parties revolved around the growth of wrestling in Azerbaijan, Grappling, Pankration, Amateur MMA, and an inaugural pro league in wrestling by UWW.

"We were pleased to meet with Nenad LALOVIC, President of United World Wrestling," Jabbarov wrote in a social media post. "During our discussion, we highlighted the initiatives undertaken to develop wrestling in Azerbaijan, including efforts to train young talents and enhance cooperation to further elevate the professionalism and international achievements of our athletes.

We were pleased to meet with Nenad Lalović, President of United World Wrestling (@wrestling). During our discussion, we highlighted the initiatives undertaken to develop wrestling in #Azerbaijan, including efforts to train young talents and enhance cooperation to further elevate… pic.twitter.com/qtwcY80JS1

— Mikayil Jabbarov (@MikayilJabbarov) December 11, 2024

"We also emphasized that the inclusion of the Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation in the leadership of UWW’s newly established Committee for Grappling, Pankration, and Amateur MMA reflects the high level of trust placed in our country’s wrestling community."

Azerbaijan has been a hotspot of wrestling and hosted the European Olympic Games Qualifier for the Paris Games in 2024. It also hosted the U23 European Championships and European Grappling Championships. In 2022, it played host to the Greco-Roman World Cup. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Azerbaijan qualified 12 wrestlers and won three bronze medals.