The Olympic Culture and Education Programme was launched in Baku, Azerbaijan yesterday, 21 February.

The initiative was presented on the occasion of the ‘150 days to go’ event for the European Youth Olympic Festival, which will be held in the Azeri capital from 21-27 July 2019.

Representatives from 10 National Olympic Committees of Europe and Asia attended the Ceremony. Among others, NOC of Azerbaijan Vice President Chingiz Huseynzada and Minister of Youth and Sports Azad Rahimov were also present.

OCEP is a joint effort of the NOC of Azerbaijan, the EYOF Baku 2019 Organising Committee, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Supported by the EOC and the Olympic Solidarity, the main goal of the programme is to promote culture, sport and Olympic values among the young generations of Europe.

“We are proud that, for the first time in 28 years of EYOF history, OCEP is held in Azerbaijan,” Huseynzada said. “This programme will play a unique role in the major youth sports events of our continent, broadening new horizons in the promotion of the Olympic culture and education.”

For his part, Minister of Education Jeyhun Bayramov stressed the importance of physical activity and sport for health and the quality of education. He also noted that the schools selected will either promote culture, history, art, and sport of the European countries in Azerbaijan and at the same time raise awareness about the Azeri customs and tradition.

“We will use this momentum for boosting friendship, cultural exchange and Olympism across Europe.”, Bayramov said.

For more information please visit www.ocep2019.az