RIYADH: Flushed with success in hosting the first European Games (Baku 2015), Azerbaijan will host the Islamic Countries Games in two years time, according to Ambassador Rasim Rzayev.

“We are happy to announce that after two years, we will host similar games for the members of Islamic countries in Baku,” the envoy told Arab News.

He said his country has already signed an agreement with the Islamic Sports Federation (ISSF) to organize the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku in May 2017.

He continued: “The agreement was signed by vice president of Azerbaijan National Olympic Committee Chingiz Huseynzade, Minister of Youth and Sports Azad Rahimov, and ISSF president, chairman of General Presidency of Youth Welfare and president of Saudi Arabia Olympic Committee, Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.”

Russia topped the European Games (Baku 2015) that concluded on Sunday night while host country Azerbaijan garnered the second place.

Russia went home with a tally of 164 medals 79 gold, 40 silver and 45 bronze. Azerbaijan won 56 medals 21 gold, 15 silver and 20 bronze. Great Britain was in the third place with 47 medals, followed by Germany, France and Italy in that order.

Some 40 countries participated in this first European games which were described as highly successful in terms of the number of participation, said Rzayev.

Of Baku 2015 closing ceremony, he said it captured Azerbaijan’s rich cultural tapestry and points to a promising future.

It was acclaimed by audiences across the world on Sunday as the James Hadley-directed show captured Azerbaijan’s rich tapestry of different colors, people, traditions and influences amidst a blaze of 10,000 pyrotechnics.

More than 68,000 people inside the Baku Olympic Stadium revelled in a show that also featured a cutting-edge sound track and spectacular dance performances, as the Games bade farewell to its thousands of athletes.

The spectacular show also paid tribute to the flame keeper volunteers whose energy, enthusiasm and dedication contributed to the success of Baku 2015.

International music acts led by DJ Gareth Emery, Clean Bandit and John Newman – who called his set the biggest moment of his career – entertained the watching world. It included a 10,000-strong crowd on the shores of the Caspian Sea in Baku’s famous Bulvar which was illuminated by fireworks at the end of the show.