Mingachevir hosts opening ceremony of President's Cup 2026 int'l regatta

The opening ceremony of the President's Cup 2026 international regatta in rowing, kayaking and canoeing has been held, Report's correspondent assigned to the competition informs.

The event, held in Mingachevir, was attended by a number of officials and representatives of the sports community.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mingachevir City Executive Authority head Ilham Ismayilov emphasized the importance of the competition and wished the participants success.

"I greet each of you. Today we have gathered for the opening of a magnificent sports competition. I thank all the athletes participating in the competition and wish them success. Today we are witnessing a major sporting event. Yesterday, the competitions started at the Sarsang reservoir, and through the media we witnessed impressive performances. I am confident that the excitement of the competition will continue in the same way tomorrow," he said.

Azad Gozalov, head of the Central Aran Regional Youth and Sports Department, noted the importance of the tournament and the role of sport in society.

"The competition is of great importance; sport means health. We believe that athletes growing up in Azerbaijan today will raise our country's flag high in the future. May the strongest win," he said.

Farhad Aliyev, executive vice-president of the Azerbaijan Water Sports Federation, said such tournaments played an important role in discovering new talents.

A video dedicated to National Leader Heydar Aliyev and academician Zarifa Aliyeva was then shown.

The event continued with an artistic program.

More than 100 athletes from Azerbaijan, Czechia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Sweden, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Ukraine and Uzbekistan are taking part in the opening ceremony.

The tournament started yesterday at the Sarsang reservoir in Aghdara. The regatta will end on May 1.