The main goal for this year is to get the most licenses for the Olympic Games in the European and World Olympic Qualifying Tournaments and to successfully compete in the Tokyo Olympics.

As always, expectations are high from the leading members of the team. One of such wrestlers is  Haji Aliyev. Three-time world and three-time European champion, Rio 2016 bronze medalist told the website of the Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation about the preparations:

"Due to the pandemic, I was only able to participate in the Individual World Cup in 2020. I hope that this year there will be no problems with the competitions included in the calendar plan of the UWW. We are seriously preparing for these competitions. Our goal is to first get a license for the Olympics, and then to successfully represent our country in Tokyo.

"Namig Abdullayev is an honor for each of us as an Olympic champion. His athletic career and character are an example for us. He is the idol of many athletes, including me. Of course, it is a source of pride to work under the guidance of such a person. Members of the national team can benefit from his knowledge, skills and experience. I would like to take this opportunity to note that my recent interview was misinterpreted by some media outlets. Unfortunately, my thoughts were interpreted differently, which disappointed me. I have never doubted Namig Abdullayev's coaching skills. It is impossible for me to express such an opinion. On the contrary, I believe that Namig Abdullayev, who made his name in our sports history as a wrestler, will succeed in the national team as a coach.

At the end, Haji Aliyev addressed the fans: “Wrestling is the sport that has given our country the most Olympic medals. Therefore, expectations from us are high. I want to tell wrestling fans that all conditions have been created by the Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation and training camps are continuing at the highest level. There is no question of any shortage of food, shelter and vitamins. It is planned to hold training camps abroad before the license tournaments. I believe that in return for all this work, our wrestlers will once again live up to expectations.