Presentation of New Book Outlining State Policy on Sports

The Central Officers’ Club of the Ministry of Defense hosted a ceremony where state awards were conferred on defenders of Motherland and publication of “The Doctrine of Arkadag – a Basis of Health and Inspiration”, a new book dedicated to the multifaceted work of the head of state, was celebrated. 

The ceremony to recognize the servicemen and employees of military and law enforcement authorities, who, by Decree of the President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the country’s Armed Forces, army general, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, were conferred awards and ranks, and the presentation of the book culminated in double celebration. 

On this occasion, a book exhibit, where works by the Turkmen leader held a prominent place, and an exhibition of paintings and photographs reflecting the rich history and culture of the Turkmen people was presented in the hall of the Officers’ Club. 

The event was attended by heads and employees of military and law enforcement authorities, teachers and cadets of military academic institutions and schools, as well as cultural figures, renowned poets, representatives of public organizations and media, and guests of honor. 

Following the State anthem of Turkmenistan, the secretary of the State Security Council, Minister of Defense, Colonel General, Y.Berdiyev, presented high awards to military servicemen for outstanding personal contribution to the strengthening of independence and sovereignty, defense capability of neutral Turkmenistan, ensuring security, law and order. 

Officers, soldiers, employees of law enforcement authorities kissed the edge of the State flag and pronounced the oath of allegiance to the people, Fatherland and the President of Turkmenistan. 

It was symbolic that the ceremony continued with the presentation of “The Doctrine of Arkadag – a Basis of Health and Inspiration”, a book dedicated to the policy pursued in Turkmenistan to promote mass fitness movement and high performance sports. 

This new work is a narrative of the extensive work by the head of state who is a supporter and promoter of a healthy lifestyle. 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games successfully hosted in Ashgabat, and well-deserved victories of Turkmen athletes showed the whole world the example of peacefulness, solidarity and active positive cooperation based on the principles of friendship, good-neighborliness and mutual respect. 

The presentation culminated in a colorful dramatized sport show on the stage of the Conference Hall of the Officers’ Club that engaged prominent cultural figures, the military band of the battalion of the Guard of Honor and masters of sports. 

The show began with the literary and musical performance by the band of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan who presented a mix of dance and acrobatic plays. Through exhibition performances the young servicemen demonstrated their karate skills and knowledge of national martial arts. 

The program continued with recital of poems and songs dedicated to Motherland, which was then followed by the talk about the books written by the President of Turkmenistan and dedicated to the history and richest spiritual and cultural heritage of the Turkmen people, their significant contribution to the development of the human civilization, the Great Silk Road. Then, a play symbolizing the continuity of historical traditions of the Turkmen people evolved on stage. 

The Hero of Turkmenistan, G.Shagulyyeva, presented a poetic dedication. The significance of the new book in the context of understanding the extensive transformations initiated by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to establish the principles of a healthy lifestyle in the Turkmen society and to strengthen the role of sports diplomacy in international relations was emphasized in speeches by the editor-in-chief of the “Turkmenistan” newspaper, K.Rejepov, and the head of department of the Magtymguly Turkmen State University, A.Burunov. Turkmenistan’s interstate cooperation with the countries of East and West and our country’s role in the processes of regional integration were noted by the candidate of historical sciences, R.Kurenov. 

On behalf of military athletes, the merited master of sports of Turkmenistan, senior lieutenant of police, G.Babamuratova, expressed gratitude to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for tremendous work to lift the national sport to the global level; for opportunities created for full-fledged training process, for splendid organization of the Ashgabat–2017 Games. 

The prominent Turkmen athlete expressed her confidence that the new publication will become a handbook for the younger generation striving for spiritual and physical perfection.