Faig Hasanov: Sponsor of Shahriyar Mammadyarov is Azerbaijani state

Baku / 27.08.18 / Turan: The sponsor of the chess player Shahriyar Mammadyarov is the Azerbaijani state, stated the vice-president of the Federation of Chess of Azerbaijan Faig Hasanov, commenting today's statement of Mammadyarov that he does not have a sponsor, and he finances his trips to international tournaments for the sake of earning. "Shahriyar is a professional chess player. I do not believe that he could say that. If you say - I went at my own expense, this means that you are not given money for the journey and stay at the hotel. Shahriyar is currently the third (rated) chess player in the world. In such tournaments (like the current super tournament in St. Louis), the costs and fees of chess players and their coaches are paid. Therefore, I do not understand why Shakhriyar says this? He could not say this," Hasanov said. When asked if Mammadyarov has a sponsor in Azerbaijan, the vice-president of the federation replied: "The question of the sponsor is a private matter. His sponsor is the Azerbaijani state. Everyone helps him - the president, the Chess Federation, the Ministry of Youth and Sports. We discussed the budget prepared by him with the president of the federation Elmar Rustamov (head of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan - note ed.), and fully paid it. This is his support for him from the federation. We helped him in the past, and we help him now. In addition, the president and the Ministry of Youth and Sports help him," Hasanov said. -03B06-