Federations

Newly founded Azerbaijani Volleyball club Khari Bulbul Shusha aiming high

News

Article Tue, Nov 29 2022

Volleyball has been an extremely popular sport in Azerbaijan for many years – with major highlights including the historic achievements by Rabita BAKU and other decorated clubs such as Azerrail – and international competitions such as the European Games 2015 and CEV EuroVolley 2017 Women held in the ‘Land of Fire’.

Even though the women’s national team – which finished fourth at EuroVolley in 2005 and 2017 – and women’s clubs are mostly responsible for such a success story, men’s Volleyball is growing as well. The men’s national team was at one point close to qualifying for EuroVolley in 2019 and Murov BAKU is currently competing in the men’s Challenge Cup with much success.  

To grow the game even further, Ilgar Imamguliyev – who previously worked for Rabita in their ‘golden years’ and currently runs his own sportswear company, IL’AZERO – recently helped establish a new club, Khari Bulbul, representing the city of Shusha, Karabakh. At this stage, the club includes a men’s team – whose season is due to start in January of 2023 – but there are plans to add a women’s division as well as to build a sports hall in the city of Shusha – where to organise even international matches with participation of foreign athletes previously introduced to Azerbaijani culture, history, and traditions.

The club is unique since its chair – Fatima Hajiyeva – is the first female to hold such a position in Azerbaijani Volleyball history. A surgeon and university teacher by profession, Hajiyeva has joined forces with the Volleyball club after participating in a photo shooting for the IL’AZERO brand.

“We are witnessing an increased interest in sports – something I can judge by looking at my patients as well. My patients and their children are engaging in a wide range of sports activities, and this is great.”

Fatima Hajiyeva
Club President

As the men’s team of Khari Bulbul continue to work hard throughout the month of December with training sessions and sports camps before their season begins in January, Hajiyeva and Imamguliyev agree that the team has untapped potential and they both hope that one day the club will be representing Azerbaijan with much pride on the international scene.

#EuropeanVolleyball