The 1st Gabala Cup Tournament was launched with the official opening ceremony as the all participant teams flowed into the field. President of Professional Football Club Tale Heydarov gave a welcome speech to the event to open the international tournament. He appreciated all the teams which had kindly accepted the invitation of the club. Heydarov talked with in-depth details of the state support to sports in Azerbaijan where he gave emphasize on role of youth soccer in progress of general football. The club president says: 

“Today the 1st Gabala Cup Tournament is taking a start in Gabala city. Allow me to appreciate all of the guests kindly accepting our invitation. As we all understand the paramount importance of state support for progress of sports, especially soccer, we are very happy having such a care as a fact here in Azerbaijan. Our local government seriously supports spots, as well as football in the country, and we all as domestic clubs feel our responsibilities to the task of developing soccer in Azerbaijan. Feeling the basic importance of youth soccer role in general football development, FC Gabala worked out a long-period plan and strategy where, as a part of it, we establish the Football Academy for first in Azerbaijan. We are keeping the strategy going on as it is evident also with this international tournament of U-15s.

Besides this, our young teams under different ages gained high places in domestic championships. The youth of FC Gabala properly represented Azerbaijan at tournaments in UK, Latvia, Turkey and other countries. But we were not able to hold such a great international tournament before laying these beautiful pitches. Our club fixed their special attention on infrastructure and it seems evident as we have just recently started to build a new house of the academy. We are hoping it will be ready in use for the midyear 2013 before the main stadium in 2014.

But FC Gabala do not stop with infrastructure as the club have got their own philosophy of progress that we aim to make it flourished through the academy. Winning is not just the target of Gabala, our tusk is just to keep the progress of sorts into sustained streak of victories professionally.

Another tournament participant from Azerbaijan other than Gabala is Garbagh. Although we both are opponents, FC Gabala well understand rivalry in football of the country involving Garabagh in the international competition”.

FC Gabala president Tale Heydarov concluded his speech expressing his gratitude to AFFA, who also supported organizing the tournament. Heydarov wished successful performances to all the teams.