Azerbaijani sports management delegation visits with CHSAA at CHSCA clinic
AURORA — A sports management group from Azerbaijan visiting Colorado stopped by the Colorado High School Coaches Association clinic on Friday, and were given a tour by CHSAA commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green.
The group, which included eight delegates and two translators, was visiting as part of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). They are on a three-week tour of the United States, with stops in Washington D.C., Denver, Colorado Springs, Cleveland, Charlotte and Boston.
Their project’s theme is “Sports Management and Sports as a Tool for Social Change in the U.S.” They are visiting various organizations to examine strategies, observing best practices and meeting leaders.
On Monday, the Azerbaijani delegation had multiple conversations with a number of organizations, including with Jim Lord of USA Cheer, and Tom Southall with Paralympics and Special Olympics.
Blanford-Green spoke to the group about CHSAA’s mission for high school athletics, specifically using them as an extension of the classroom and a way to help develop a well-rounded young adult.
“We were honored to be involved with the Azerbaijani delegation, and look forward watching the further development of their youth sports programs,” Blanford-Green said.
The delegates work for various organizations in Azerbaijan, including paralympics, their national olympic committee, the ministry of youth sports, in sports journalism, the state academy of sport, their basketball federation and the ministry of education.
