By AZE.US
Azerbaijani journalist Vugar Vugarly has publicly challenged Azerbaijan Handball Federation President Saleh Mammadov to resume active leadership or step down, alleging that the sport has been left without proper management, funding or a permanent training venue.
“You led the federation for 10 years and did what you could. If you no longer want to deal with handball, gather the leadership and say so openly. Let someone capable of developing the sport take over,” Vugarly said in a video appeal.
The journalist claimed that Mammadov has largely withdrawn from the federation’s work since leaving his government position in February. He urged the federation president either to take responsibility for reversing the sport’s decline or allow new leadership to be elected.
Vugarly first raised the issue publicly in July, when he said Azerbaijani handball had lost access to ABU Arena, which he described as the country’s only full-size venue meeting the sport’s requirements.
According to Vugarly, the federation stopped paying the arena’s monthly rent of 18,000 manats, or approximately $10,600, in February. Members of the handball community later claimed that athletes had spent about five months without adequate training facilities.
Vugarly also called for a public accounting of the federation’s finances. He alleged that annual funding for Azerbaijani handball had amounted to 3 million manats, or about $1.76 million, under Mammadov’s leadership and questioned how the money had been spent.
“The public should be told where the funds went, what results were achieved and how the money contributed to the development of handball,” he said.
The journalist also criticized officials and individuals previously associated with the federation for remaining silent about the situation.
In Vugarly’s words, Azerbaijani handball has itself become a “refugee,” with players lacking a permanent venue where they can train and prepare for competitions.
He stressed that handball has decades of history in Azerbaijan and should not depend on the presence of one federation president.
“Handball existed before you arrived. Your departure should not mean that the sport disappears as well,” Vugarly said.
“Either resign or take responsibility and develop it properly.”
AZE.US could not independently verify the financial figures or other allegations presented by Vugarly. The federation’s position was not included in the journalist’s appeal.
AZE.US