Today, the capital of Turkmenistan hosted the closing ceremony of the international tennis tournament "Ashgabat Open 2024" for athletes under 14, which featured participants from 12 countries across Europe and Asia.
For six days, boys and girls from Great Britain, India, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan engaged in thrilling competitions in both singles and doubles. They competed not only for medals from the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF), under whose auspices the tournament was held but also for the opportunity to improve their rankings.
Turkmen tennis players achieved a convincing victory in the doubles competitions, which included 16 pairs in the boys' category and 14 in the girls'.
Representatives of the national tennis school reached the finals in both categories and claimed the top two positions.
In the boys' category, Nazar Amangeldiyev and Kerimgeldi Velibegov were the tournament's revelation. In the first round, they secured a sensational victory in a super tie-break against top-seeded Suleyman Khudaiberdyev and Emirhan Rustamov with scores of 2:6, 6:1, 10:5. In a final that lasted 2 hours and 15 minutes, they won both sets in tie-breaks against second-seeded compatriots Yunus Annamyradov and Ali Geldiyev with scores of 7:6 (7:4), 7:6 (7:4), ascending to the highest step of the podium. Silver medals went to Y. Annamyradov and A. Geldiyev, who convincingly defeated Malaysian players Gareth Lim Hao Zhe and Jacob Wong in the semifinals with scores of 6:1, 6:3.
In the women's doubles category, as expected, top-seeded Turkmen players Ilima Guseynova and Ailara Kakabaeva claimed victory by defeating second-seeded compatriots Aynur Annamyradova and Nazli Khudaikulieva with scores of 6:4, 6:1. The latter received silver medals.
Turkmen female tennis players also swept the podium in singles. Notably, the main prize in the final was contested between doubles winners Ilima Guseynova and Ailara Kakabaeva. The more experienced Ilima triumphed in two sets with scores of 6:3, 6:1 and ascended to the top of the podium for a second time. Ailara received a silver medal this time. The bronze went to 11-year-old Sulgun Ishankulieva, who won against her peer Nazli Khudaikulieva with scores of 4:2, 3:5, 5:4.
In the boys' singles category, second seed Suleyman Khudaiberdyev settled for a silver medal after losing to winner Muhammad Hassan Usmani from Pakistan with scores of 1:6, 0:6. Malaysian Gareth Lim Hao Zhe completed the top three by winning against his compatriot Jacob Wong in the match for third place.
After the matches concluded, an award ceremony took place where winners and runners-up received medals and certificates from the Asian Tennis Federation. Additionally, they were presented with valuable gifts on behalf of the President of Turkmenistan and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. In honor of our tennis players' three victories, Turkmenistan's national anthem played as their flag was raised over the sports complex stands.
Overall, Turkmen athletes secured eight prize-winning places across four tournament categories at "Ashgabat Open 2024." These achievements reflect Turkmenistan's strong focus on sports development. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Hero-Arkadag have initiated numerous major sports projects at both national and international levels, making sports a national priority. As a result, our country increasingly hosts significant competitions.
Hosting events of such scale is a significant responsibility. Last year, Ashgabat successfully organized its second Central Asian team championship for boys and girls under 12 years old from Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. Now Turkmenistan has again successfully fulfilled its role as host for international sports competitions.
Delegation leaders agree that Ashgabat is worthy of hosting not only junior tennis tournaments but also major professional ATF events. The city offers all necessary conditions including state-of-the-art sports infrastructure at its Olympic Village—a project personally overseen by National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
Consequently, it is fitting that Ashgabat's Olympic Village Tennis Complex has been recognized by ATF as an "Asian Regional Training Center," while Ashgabat itself was declared "The City of New Sports Opportunities of the Commonwealth" during the meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of Government held on May 24 in Turkmenistan's capital.
The international tennis tournament was a remarkable success. Its organizers also arranged a cultural program that allowed participants to learn about Turkmen history and rich heritage, experience its ancient traditions, taste national dishes, and admire the sights of white-marble Ashgabat, which offers ample opportunities for sports. Additionally, the tournament enhanced the pride of all Turkmen citizens in their country, demonstrating once again that under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and National Leader of the Turkmen people Hero-Arkadag, Turkmenistan can host and successfully conduct prestigious international competitions.
