Ilgar Rahimov has stood down as President of the National Paralympic Committee of Azerbaijan to focus on his campaign for Presidency of the IBSA ©Getty Images

Ilgar Rahimov has stepped down as President of the National Paralympic Committee of Azerbaijan to focus on his candidacy to lead the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA).

Rahimov, who has led the National Paralympic Committee of Azerbaijan since 1996, is up against the current IBSA President, Italian Sandro Di Girolamo.

Speaking about the reasons behind his decision to stand down as President of the National Paralympic Committee of Azerbaijan Rahimov explained: "On June 30, an Extraordinary General Assembly of the IBSA will be held in Portugal.

"A new Board of Directors will be elected at the Assembly.

Rahimov thanked Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev for the trust he placed in him during his tenure as President of the country's National Paralympic Committee ©Getty Images
Rahimov thanked Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev for the trust he placed in him during his tenure as President of the country's National Paralympic Committee ©Getty Images

"I ran for the Presidency of IBSA and, if elected, I would like to devote my activities to reforms and transformations in this global organisation."

Rahimov thanked the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and first vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva for the trust placed in him over the years and promised to honourably represent Azerbaijan in the IBSA leadership if elected, as reported by Trend News Agency.

Di Girolamo was voted in to the IBSA President’s post at the organisation’s 2021 General Assembly, held in Jordan, when he defeated Jannie Hammershoi of Denmark.

As well as the post of President, the IBSA vice-president, secretary general, treasurer, and five members-at-large are set to be elected in Fátima at the General Assembly later this month.

An extraordinary reporting and election conference of the National Paralympic Committee of Azerbaijan is set to be held on July 7.