Preparation for the Asian Games-2017 has entered a final stage

A hundred days prior to the start of the 5th Asian indoor and martial arts games Chairman of the Executive Committee of the project "Ashgabad-2017" Dayanch Gulgeldiev has given an interview in which he has summed up the work for solution of an extensive complex of organizational and practical issues.

- Till the opening ceremony of the Games remains a little more than three months. If all that were planned, have been done? Indeed, all the amount of work is enormous, and our country has not faced such scale of sports actions …

- Yes, the Ashgabat Asian Games will become the largest one in its series, brining 65 delegations from Olympic committees of countries of Asia and the Oceania together and also the team of refugees which will act under the flag of the Olympic council of Asia. I should remind that President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov has given concrete commissions to heads of corresponding departments for all-round study of issues of participation of refugees-sportsmen in the Asian Games-2017, who owing to certain reasons and circumstances, have been compelled to leave their native places. Turkmenistan will be glad to welcome them in the Ashgabat Games, after all, the main mission of sports as our national leader underlines - to serve as envoy of peace, friendship and progress.

Only 5 thousand sportsmen are expected, without speaking of other members of delegations and teams, reporters and fans. It is planned to realise 600 thousand tickets for sports competitions. Besides quantitative parameters, a set of other constituent and key moments in delivery of the Asian Games -2017 will be unprecedented, record in its own way.

In April, this year in Ashgabat there passed the meeting of heads of delegations of National Olympic committees of the countries-participants of the 5th Asian indoor and martial arts games. They familiarised with objects of the Olympic village, the conditions created for sportsmen, coaches, referees, spectators, highly appreciated the well-developed lay-out of the village, functionality of objects, but also - architectural beauty of structures.

As heads of delegations of NOCs underlined, with such magnificent heritage of the Asian Games Ashgabat can safely make an application for the Olympic Games.

But it is for the future. And now - the basic preparation for the Games is finished according to the schedule. Issues of accreditation, transport and medical services, activity of anti-doping services, maintenance of logistics and safety, placement, food have been worked out. The schedule of competitions and use of training base which besides the Olympic village, other sports objects and capital constructions, including high schools, provide.

There has come the stage of final preparations. The organizational and technical experience which has been gained during a number of international test competitions in the Ashgabat Olympic village is analysed. Recently, in the last decade April here hundreds of sportsmen and spectators again gathered for the championships of Asia in weightlifting and kickboxing and competitions on swimming.

- What has organization of these international tournaments given? But, besides their status, similar actions are rather cost-based, including, in terms of resources and technical means? Did it worth to spend means before the main competitions?

- Actually, it is necessary to understand: test competitions are one of the most important, essential parts of actions for check of our operational readiness. They are as much as possible similar to the format of the Games that allows to fulfil our actions in all segments.

All test actions have passed successfully and have received an appreciation of the experts who have confirmed that objects of the Olympic village are ready for the Asian games and correspond to requirements of international federations. We have had two seasons of active testing and we have reached an goal in view - to receive, fix and improve skills of work, and also to bring necessary updates, to create as much as possible convenient conditions both for sportsmen and for spectators.

Besides the Olympic village, all the capital has undergone the test as well. You see, what scale construction activities go on in Ashgabat, the city infrastructure is modernised. Look back around - and you will understand that one of the key conditions of success of the Asian Games -2017 is that it will pass in the most beautiful city of the world! Using this historical chance, our capital will achieve still more progress and advancement in all respects.

The Games are urged to fix in minds of spectators of the whole world the image of Turkmenistan as country with the richest cultural property, centuries-old traditions, unique spiritual heritage and talented people. It is the primary goal which was put before us by President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov, - through sports and hospitality to open Turkmenistan to the whole world.

- One more prominent aspect of success of the Games is the contingent of volunteers. How the selection of volunteers passes?

- Certainly, formation of group of well-prepared volunteers is among very significant factors to ensure the organization of the Games at high level. Students will make up the main part of volunteers because our youth distinguish with enthusiasm, activity and discipline. We could be convinced of it at test competitions, where they worked. All volunteers have shown a good level of preparation, coordination, and creativity and communication skills.

In the beginning of this year the volunteer program "Ashgabad-2017" according to which till March 10th, registration of volunteers for the 5th Asian indoor and martial arts games of 2017 was open, took a start. Students of all educational institutions can submit their applications for electronic registration to become volunteers at the upcoming Games of September.

For the future volunteers courses and seminars on learning of foreign languages will be organised. Participation in the large sports meets passed in Russia, China, the Republic of Korea, Azerbaijan helped them to gain practical skills as well.

For the 5th Asian indoor and martial arts games it is required 10 thousand specially trained volunteers who have undergone the corresponding training program of volunteers which should become a uniting force of the Asian Games -2017, its «heart and soul». After all on them depends, what impressions will remain with sportsmen, fans and other participants of the Games on our country and this remarkable event.

It is necessary to consider that we began with zero when we did not have almost any volunteer. And that we have today a big corps of volunteers capable to accompany the largest international actions, - is one more achievements of the Games.