Presentation of Asiada–2017 and Exhibition of Turkmen Goods Held in Kazan

Delegation of Turkmenistan headed by the Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Legislation and its Norms, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, took part in the plenary session of the 9th International Economic Summit “Russia – Islamic World: KazanSummit–2017”.

The objective of the summit attended by over 2000 high ranking guests from 50 countries: diplomats; representatives of financial institutions; members of parliaments; investors and businessmen; journalists, is to strengthen commercial and economic, scientific and technical, social and cultural ties between Russian and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. One of the most efficient ways of promoting such ties is cooperation in the sports industry.

It is in this context that on the fields of the Kazan Forum a presentation was held on Asiada to be hosted by Ashgabat, that was co-organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the National Olympic Committee of Turkmenistan; the Organizing Committee for the preparation of the 5th Asian Games of 2017; and the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the Russian Federation.

An exhibition stand reflecting our country’s economic achievements and displaying goods produced in Turkmenistan was also presented. Asiada–2017 occupied a significant part of the exposition. This major Asian sporting event is succinctly described in colorful exhibits and leaflets; textile products bearing the symbols of the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games were also presented here.

During the visit to the exposition of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan, R.Minnikhanov, and other distinguished guests of the summit, the Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Turkmenistan provided detailed information on Ashgabat’s Olympic Village and organizational preparation for the Games to be held this September.

Speeches by the representatives of the Organizing Committee for the preparation of the 5th Asian Games of 2017, that covered in detail the key dimensions of implementing this major project – Asiada–2017 – including the media coverage of the Games, were of particular interest for the visitors.

Guests attending the presentation reviewed the videos and prints, and were briefed on creating opportunities for athletes, coaches, referees; journalists, TV reporters; on measures aimed at forming the advanced technical background for the information support of Asiada, and implementing the cutting-edge communication technologies in this sphere. Specific emphasis was placed on the Olympic Village comprising 40 sites, and its central stadium with a capacity to host 45 000 spectators where the Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies will take place. The Games will be held under a motto “Health. Inspiration. Friendship.”

Opinions were exchanged, and all questions thoroughly answered. Particularly, they revolved around equipment of the Olympic sites; volunteer training; glossaries and relevant phrasebooks.

As mentioned, effective support from the President of Turkmenistan, the President of the Organizing Committee for preparation of Asiada–2017, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, allows comprehensive solving of all issues related to staging the Games. Moreover, all venues of the Olympic Village were vetted in a test mode by hosting several international tournaments.

Overall, it was stated that since the day when Turkmenistan, the first country in Central Asia, was delegated the right to host the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, the tremenous amount of work has been done. Ashgabat hosted several sports media forums that became an effective platform for raising awareness on reforms ongoing in our country and success in developing the resource base of the sports sector.

The historical significance of Ashgabat hosting the ceremony where the National Olympic Committees of Oceania and the Olympic Council of Asia signed the document under which, for the first time in history, the Oceania countries were included in the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, was also mentioned.