The names of the flag bearers of Azerbaijan at the III CIS Countries Games 2025 have been revealed

Today, September 28, 2025, at the city stadium in Ganja, a ceremony was held to announce the flag bearers of the Azerbaijani delegation for the grand opening of the III CIS Games. By the decision of the Organizing Committee, the flag of Azerbaijan will be carried by the outstanding karateka Asiman Gurbanli and taekwondo athlete Zemfira Hasanzade – athletes whose achievements embody the strength and honor of the host country. This announcement, confirmed by the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan and the official website of the Games (cisgames2025.com), intensifies the pre-start excitement: the competitions, gathering 2000+ athletes from eight CIS countries, will begin with the opening ceremony in Ganja – the "Sports Capital of the CIS".

Asiman Gurbanli, a 32-year-old karate master, is one of Azerbaijan's most decorated athletes: a three-time European champion, winner of the II European Games in Baku in 2019 and the III Islamic Solidarity Games in Samarkand in 2022, silver medalist at the 2011 World Championship in Turkey. His selection is symbolic: Gurbanli is not only a fighter but also a mentor for youth, embodying the spirit of competition. "Carrying the flag is an honor for the entire team; we will showcase Azerbaijan as a leader in CIS sports," he noted in his comment to AZERTAC.

Zemfira Hasanzade, a 28-year-old taekwondo athlete, adds a female accent: bronze medalist at the 2023 European Championship in the Olympic category, European Youth Champion in 2021. Her triumphs in Budapest and Sofia highlight gender equality in Azerbaijani sports. "This is motivation for all girls – sport without boundaries," she shared in an interview with Trend News Agency.

The CIS Games, taking place from September 28 to October 8 in seven cities of Azerbaijan (Ganja, Yevlakh, Mingachevir, Gabala, Sheki, Goygol, Khankendi), will award 246 medals in 23 sports, including a new addition – esports. Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan have confirmed their participation; Armenia and Moldova are still in question.

The opening ceremony in Ganja is a grand show featuring 1,500 volunteers and broadcasting to 100 million viewers. It is not just sports but also a platform for CIS unity, as noted by the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev.