Three-time national champion Farid Aliyev has been named captain of Azerbaijan's national Chovken team ahead of the upcoming European Championship. Aliyev, 32, succeeds retiring captain Rashad Hasanov who led the team for six years. "It's an honor to lead our team in this sport that is so deeply connected to our cultural heritage," Aliyev stated during the official ceremony in Baku. The new captain brings 15 years of experience and is widely regarded as one of the sport's most skilled contemporary players.