Rustam Minnikhanov takes part in the opening ceremony of the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games

On September 17, during his working visit to Ashgabat, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov took part in the opening ceremony of the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games. 

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov welcomed participants of the ceremony. He noted that seven years ago, on the 17th of December, 2010, in the city of Al Kuwait a bilateral document between the Olympic committee of Turkmenistan and the Olympic Council of Asia on organization of the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat in 2017 was signed.

“A great deal of work on preparation for the Games has been done in Turkmenistan recently. The Olympic village has been built in Ashgabat. In a total area of 157 hectares, about 40 objects, including 16 sports facilities for holding national and international competitions in various sport disciplines have been erected,” he said.

According to Turkmenistan’s President, in addition to the formation of infrastructure facilities, various sports events which confirmed the country’s complete readiness for holding the 5th Asian indoor and martial arts games were carried out during this period. 

“During preparation for the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games we gained positive experience of cooperation with the international sports community and an effective fund of knowledge, and we are ready to share this experience with organizers of future competitions. I want to express my sincere gratitude to all our foreign friends and partners for their invaluable help and assistance rendered during the preparatory period,” he continued his speech.

He noted that by the number of participants and sports disciplines the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games 2017 have a special character.  “The Games are held in the state of Central Asia for the first time. I am sure that this factor will give a powerful impulse to sports development in our region. For the first time in the history of these competitions apart from delegations of the Asian continent, athletes from 19 states of Oceania will also take part in them. In total 65 teams will compete in 21 sport disciplines,” Berdimuhamedov said.

In the modern world sports should be a significant component of international cooperation, bringing a powerful contribution to the formation of atmosphere of trust and mutual understanding, Berdimuhamedov stressed.

President of Turkmenistan wished all participants of the Games outstanding victories and success and declared the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games open.