With the support of SOCAR and in collaboration with the “Neftchi” Sports Club and the Social Development Department, the opening ceremony of the SOCAR-2025 Mini Football Tournament was held for the employees of the oil, gas, and chemical industry enterprises, dedicated to the “Constitution and Sovereignty Year.” The event was organized at the indoor arena of the Baku Olympic Stadium. First, the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was played, and a one-minute silence was observed in honor of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the territorial integrity of our country.

Following this, detailed information about the tournament was provided to the participants.

Then, Rufat Zamanov, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Oil and Gas Industry Workers’ Trade Union Republic Committee, and Sadig Sadigov, Head of the Management Apparatus of the “Neftchi” Sports Club, spoke about the state’s attention to physical education and sports, how this attention has led to the high development of sports in our country, and how Azerbaijan is recognized as a sports nation in Europe and globally.

The speakers also congratulated the participants on the upcoming Oilmen’s Day professional holiday and wished them success in the tournament.

After the opening ceremony, the first round of matches commenced.

It is worth mentioning that 29 teams will compete in 7 groups. The matches will be held every Saturday and Sunday at the indoor arenas of the Baku Olympic Stadium, and the tournament will continue until September 21.

Notably, the first day of the competition saw the following results:

“Azneft” Production Union – Industrial Safety Department: 18:1

Heydar Aliyev Oil Refinery – SOCAR Main Office: 2:2

Oil Pipelines Department – Shipbuilding Plant: 4:2

“Azerigas” Production Union – “BOS Shelf” LLC: 3:1

SOCAR Upstream – “Neftgaselmitadgigatlayiha” Institute: 1:5

“SOCAR Polymer” Plant – Information Technologies and Communications Department: 4:3

Nariman Narimanov NGCI – Geophysics and Geology Department: 3:1

“Neftgastikinti” Trust – Complex Drilling Works Trust: 6:1