Sport is a universal language that unites people, and Azerbaijan has leveraged this principle to strengthen its international image. As President Ilham Aliyev noted during the 2025 Sports Awards Ceremony, “Every time our athletes raise the National Flag at international competitions, each of us feels a sense of pride. Over the past five years, our flag has been raised in international arenas as the flag of a victorious country.” This highlights how sporting success contributes to national pride and enhances Azerbaijan’s global reputation.