The country's Sports Minister Azad Rahimov has led the groundbreaking ceremony for new Olympic Sports Complex in the Aghjabadi and Absheron regions.

A total of 34 Olympic sports complexes have already been built in Azerbaijan, another nine are nearing completion with construction now having started on these two.

The Aghjabadi Olympic Complex will cover an area of five hectares and will include tree-storey building, a 1,000-capacity football stadium, volleyball courts, tennis courts, wrestling hall and a shooting range.

The Absheron complex will consist of a swimming pool, weightlifting hall and even a chess room.

Both are due for completion in early 2014. 

Baku, along with Doha, were cut by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) last month from the five cities bidding for 2020 but is determined to continue backing sport financially.

"The laying of the base of yet another Olympic sports complex in this Year of Sport is really a major event," said Rahimov.

"We are sure that the complex will prove to be popular with sportsmen and women and in future will produce Olympic, world and European champions.

"Over the past years Azerbaijan has invested over $500 million (£320 million/€400 million) into sports.

"A gymnastic complex, a base for boxing, judo and the Olympic Stadium are under construction in Azerbaijan."

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