For example, a coach of acrobats Adil Huseynzada was invited to the Republic of South Africa. He retrained to be a coach in jumping on the acrobatic track or in tumbling there. So, he has already been living and working there for 14 years.

“How did it happen that you found yourself in such a remote country?”

“I had heard a lot about South Africa at that time. I had known that in comparison with other African countries it was sufficiently developed state. And when one of our gymnasts Vladimir Shorinov informed me that the club where he worked in South Africa needed a coach in acrobatics, I agreed. I settled in Pretoria. To say the truth, they entrusted me the jumpers instead of acrobats. But it was not a big problem for me. Thus, I became a coach in tumbling.

At first, they treated me with watchfulness – people from the former USSR were not so respected in South Africa. But later, when they had known me better, their attitude towards me became normal. In general, I have to say that people of South Africa are very friendly and hospitable. It is easy to live in South Africa, summer lasts for 8 month, and there is no need to spend money on winter clothes (he is laughing). Foodstuff prices are low, nature is indescribably beautiful. A person, who has been in South Africa at least once, would like to stay in this country forever. To say the truth, there is also one negative circumstance. The criminal situation is not so favorable. You can be robbed at any place.”

“Did you plan to stay in South Africa forever?”

“No. I had thought that I would work there for three years and come back. But everything went even better than I had expected. Many sportsmen of the club where I worked were included into the composition of the national team for participation in the World Championships at once, and one of the girls won the bronze medal. Then, I decided to stay and open my own club in Johannesburg, the city with 8-million-population and a huge territory. The club was initially called “Gym Masters”, and later it was renamed and called “Adil’s Tumblers” at my trainees’ suggestion.

You know, it was interesting to build everything from the very beginning: to enroll children, to purchase equipment and etc. Many strong sportsmen became the club’s members. As the saying goes, at first you work for the name, and later the name works for you. Tumblers of my club constituted more than a half of the national team, and I went to all large-scale competitions with the team as a coach of the strongest club.”

“How often do you come to Baku?”

“I come to Baku every year. My mother and other relatives live here. Of course, I keep abreast of all the events, I know how rapidly gymnastic disciplines are developing in Azerbaijan. The progress in rhythmic gymnastics and acrobatics is especially noticeable.”

“What can you say about Azerbaijani jumpers?”

“I will make no secret that there are perspective sportsmen here. I especially liked two boys: Said Salimov and Hafiz Rzayev. I am pleased to see that a lot of children are engaged in tumbling. Excellent conditions have been created for them at newly repaired Baku Gymnastics School. But in order to prepare high-grade sportsmen, gymnastics complex is necessary. And as far as I know, it will be constructed in Baku in the near future.

I am ready to do my best in order to help. I talked to the secretary general of Gymnastics Federation of our country on this subject. I am citizen of Azerbaijan and will always be. For the time being, we agreed that I will represent Azerbaijan at international competitions as a judge. But to do it, I need to pass the courses and obtain a license first.”

“We would like to hear about the period of your life when you lived in Baku. How did it happen that you began to engage in acrobatics?”

“I was born o