"Ganja" basketball club's assistant coach and head coach for the youth teams, Rizvan Safarov, spoke to Offsideplus.az about the club's ambitions and preparations for the upcoming season.

– Which age groups are currently participating in training?

– As we know, the Child-Youth Basketball League is held every year for teenagers and youth. Currently, our training sessions include both boys' and girls' youth teams. We have already started preparations for the upcoming season, which will kick off in October. Our goal is to identify promising athletes and elevate them to a high level. We have many talented basketball players in our teams. As participation increases, the chances for talented athletes to emerge also rise. We strive to promote basketball in the region, identifying promising youngsters to join the city's representative team, "Ganja" basketball club.

– How long have the youth teams of "Ganja" been active?

– The Child-Youth Basketball League has been organised for nearly 10 years, and we participate in this tournament every year. We have achieved championships in both boys' and girls' competitions and have placed among the prize winners. In the upcoming season, our teams will compete in three age groups for both boys and girls.

– What are your main achievements in the championship?

– Last season, our boys finished in second place, while our girls secured bronze medals in two different age groups. This year, we will work to improve our results, aiming to turn second places into championships and third places into finals.

– What age groups do the youth teams consist of?

– We have age groups for 7-8, 9-11, 13-15, and 15-16 years old.

– Ganja is known as a football region. What is the level of interest in basketball?

– It must be admitted that in the last five years, the interest and confidence of teenagers in basketball have been steadily increasing. The "Ganja" main team has won the Azerbaijan Cup twice and has earned silver and bronze medals in the national championship. Most importantly, our team will participate in European cups this season. This greatly encourages both parents and children to view basketball as a professional sport. Children see themselves as part of the main team in the future.

– Are there any candidates for the national team or main squad among the players you coach?

– Yes, there are. Azerbaijan has national teams for various age groups. Among our graduates, Tofiq Ismayilov, Ilham, and Fakhraddin Hasanov have been called up to the national team. It is encouraging that a 16-year-old from our team will also take his first steps into professional basketball this year with the main team of "Ganja."

– As one of the coaches of the main team, what are your expectations for your debut season in the FIBA Europe Cup?

– This is a first for a regional club. Until now, our country has been represented in Europe by "Neftchi," "NTD-Indigo," and "Sabah." As a regional team, "Ganja" will experience this excitement for the first time. Our opponents are already known, and we are analysing their games. Despite it being our debut, our goal is to progress beyond the group stage and secure a place in the next round.

– How is the overall preparation process for the team organised?

– Our training sessions start on September 1. Both foreign players and local athletes have gathered in Ganja. We will begin the day with two training sessions, and then we will head to Quba for a 10-day training camp. We also plan to hold friendly matches there. Before the league starts, we intend to test our strength in friendly matches and be fully prepared.