Ï Turkmenistan becomes new center of sport movement of Asia
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Turkmenistan becomes new center of sport movement of Asia

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“If all countries of the region will follow the example of Turkmenistan, Asia will be able to be in the leading positions on sport world arena!”. This citation from words of foreign guests mentioned by many journalists in their commentaries related to the signing ceremony of Memorandum on participation of the countries of Oceania in the Asian Games – 2017, which was held in Ashgabat on November 28.

According to this document, besides 45 National Olympic Committees, which are the members of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), 17 National Olympic Committees of Oceania will also first take part in the Asian Games in 2017.

Besides, the foreign sites informed their readers that in the speech before signing ceremony of Memorandum, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov offered to include equestrian sport (show jumping) and Turkmen national wrestling “goresh” into the list of 19 kinds of sports of Asian Games in Ashgabat.

The most cited source of such information became the Russian specialized edition “Championship”, which cited the opinions of our honorable guests – main participants of the current meeting in the Turkmen capital.

So, having highly appreciated the preparation for holding of V Asian Indoor Games and Martial Arts, which will host nearly 6 thousand sportsmen from 45 countries of Asia and 17 of Oceania, President of Olympic Council of Asia sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah noted: “Upcoming games are quite cost-based. Therefore, we have to thank the President of the country and Government as well as people of Turkmenistan, which make huge efforts to represent the country worthily on the international arena”.

“I am really surprised and glad for rapid change of Ashgabat – it takes place before our eyes. It is obvious that plan offered to the members of OCA before beginning of the construction is followed and improved. This fact really gladdens us. In total, nearly 40 facilities have to be built. By the way, it will help Turkmenistan to pretend to the holding of Asian Games on Olympic kinds of sport of 2020” – tells the Russian edition “Championship” the words of sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah.

The head of OCA also explained the reason of principal decision on joining of countries of Oceania to the Games. “Firstly, the cultures, traditions and customs of the countries of South-East Asia and Oceania are quite common. It means that their representatives will easily find understanding with each other. Secondly, it is excellent opportunity to unite people in our complicated time, having shown due example to the youth. And thirdly, it is the stimulus to develop no so popular kinds of sport in their countries and preserve their identity”.

Most publications also cited the statement of Robin Mitchel: “It is pleasant that henceforth, the representatives of modest Oceania will be able to participate in such large competitions. I think that this decision will attach impetus for development of sport in several countries. Undoubtedly, we will strive to represent worthily our region. I don’t want to make plans how much medals we can take away from Turkmenistan in 2017. It is very early to speak about this. Now, everybody is very glad for this fact. Concerning Ashgabat, it strikes really, and I join with great pleasure to the words of colleagues to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. It is obvious how much efforts were made by the President of the country and government for achievement of the goal. However, it is only interim stage. The most interesting is ahead”, - summed up the head of National Olympic Committees of countries of Oceania.

Twofold Olympic champion in 1500-meter race, presently political and sport figure Lord Sebastian Coe, President of National Olympic Committee of Great Britain, head of “CSM Strategies” Company, also gave high praise to the level of preparation of Turkmenistan for holding of V Asian Games.

“As a person who was a member of Organizing Committee of Olympic Games in London, I can state the evident: the country realized colossal work in Ashgabat that strikes already today. At that, I speak not only about the city, but also about Olympic township and sport facilities. They correspond with the latest requirement including technological. If all countries of the region will follow the example of Turkmenistan, then in the near future, Asia can become “super continent” on sport world arena. Owing to such investments and attitude, the sports will develop with seven-league strides. You can be confident in this fact”, - said Sebastian Coe.

“The Turkmen side entrusted to organize and hold international competitions in Ashgabat to the British Company “CSM”, having the experience of holding Olympic Games in London”-specifies the Chinese agency “Xinhua”, which also published the information about participation of the countries of Oceania in the Asian Games of 2017 in Ashgabat, where Olympic township is created for these Games.