The relationship between sports and state policy on the example of Azerbaijan

The relevance of the chosen topic lies in the growing importance of sports as an instrument of state policy, particularly in the context of Azerbaijan. As such, sports activities influence both the domestic and foreign policies of the country by fulfilling their primary functions of social integration, individual socialization, public health promotion, and social mobilization. The novelty of this publication is rooted in the integrated approach to examining the interrelation between politics and sports as a resource for political communication. The article highlights conceptual frameworks regarding the role of sports in political contexts, providing a brief historical overview and modern analysis of sports as an instrument of state policy within the realm of political communication. Additionally, it describes Azerbaijan’s sports activities terms of achieving the country’s domestic and foreign policy goals.