Turkmenistan Billiards team are right on cue

Despite being one of the most popular sports in the country, it will surprise many to know that the Turkmenistan Billiards & Snooker Federation (TBSF) was only founded in 2015.

But even before the Federation was formalised, four Turkmen players had taken part in the 2013 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Incheon, South Korea. All of them — Batyr Asyrow, Begenc Aydogdyyew, Kamaladdin Babayew and Bayramgeldi Cakanow — will once again don the national colours to join several other players to lead the home charge at the Ashgabat 2017 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games.

Asyrow, who is also the first and current President of TBSF, spoke about the sport’s rapid rise.

“Although Billiards has been popular in the country for some time, it hadn’t been held under one umbrella. There were many local tournaments, but they were being organised by individuals or clubs. We wanted to streamline the sport’s running and hence launched the TBSF,” said Asyrow, who added that Ashgabat 2017 would prove to be an important milestone for the sport in Turkmenistan.

“There are many Billiards and Snooker parlours functioning around Turkmenistan which are popular with a lot of players frequenting them. Ashgabat 2017 will give our sport unparalleled visibility. We’ve got some great players in the national team. But after this mega event, I expect more fresh talents to be unearthed. Personally, I’ll try my best to win a medal in front my home support,” he said.

Aydogdyyew, who started playing way back in 1999, has witnessed the sport’s growth first hand over the past two decades and shares his teammate’s enthusiasm for its future.

“When I began playing, there were one or two Billiards halls in Ashgabat. The number of players were also very limited. However, things have now dramatically changed for the better. We now have local events almost on a weekly basis and there’s a lot more interest. Ashgabat 2017 will take the sport to another level,” he said.

Batyr Geldiyew taught himself how to play and is one of the country’s brightest medal prospects.

“I’m a native of Mary Province and I began playing 12 years ago. Initially, I couldn’t find anyone to teach me the sport. So I started paying visits to a Billiards hall near my home. I carefully watched the players and their movements and started to mimic them. Slowly, my game improved,” he said.

“Once I felt I was good enough, I moved to Ashgabat in search of better competition opportunities. That really paid off as I’m now a part of the national team. I’m hoping to do well at Ashgabat 2017,” added Geldiyew.

Ruslanbek Karanow, who works in construction, has been an active Billiards player for 15 years. He zeroed in on it after trying his luck with several team sports.

“I spent my college years in Ukraine and that’s when I started playing Billiards for the first time. Until then, I used to be a Basketball and Volleyball player. But I realised I was more effective in individual sports and made the switch. I took part in the 2007 Dynamic Pyramid World Championships in Saint Petersburg, Russia. I’m now looking forward to do well at Ashgabat 2017,” he said.

For Sohrat Metdiyew, Billiards has grown into a solid family tradition.

“I’ve been playing for 15 years. My three sons — Meretgeldi (18), Resul (14) and Babamurat (10) — have all shown an affinity towards the sport. We all play together sometimes and it’s become something of a family tradition. I’m hoping that they’ll follow in my footsteps and eventually get to play for Turkmenistan,” said Metdiyew, who works in the stock market.

Billiards Sports will be played in the Billiards Sports Arena at the Ashgabat Olympic Complex from 19–26 September.