Opening ceremony of 5th Asian Indoor and Marital Games kicks off at Olympic Stadium

Opening ceremony of 5th Asian Indoor and Marital Games kicks off at Olympic Stadium

Official opening ceremony of V Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games took place in Turkmen capital with participation of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Heads of the states and governments of number of countries, prominent foreign figures, international organizations and other honourable guests.

In the afternoon, the Head of the State arrived to the building of the Trade and Industrial Chamber where the participants of current event have gathered.

After the greetings, Turkmen leader had joint photo with each of them and after invited high-rank guests to VIP hall. Further, there were an official reception on behalf of His Excellency the President of Turkmenistan on occasion of the opening ceremony of V Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games.

During the meeting, Head of the State Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of the Asian Olympic Council Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah addressed to the participants.

Being a member of International Olympic Committee and Asian Olympic Council, Turkmenistan makes deserving contribution to the development of international Olympic movement. Active participation in the work of the AOC is considered as an important direction of international cooperation of our country in sport field. We are strictly committed to support of the interests of Asian states in the world’s Olympic movement and are confident that sports, noble traditions of the Olympics in the modern world are one of working mechanisms of understanding and friendship between the nations, the Head of the State highlighted.

For the first time in the history of these competitions 19 countries of Oceania are participting. 65 teams will compete in 21 fields of sports.

From the Trade and Industrial Chamber, joint motorcade of the President of Turkmenistan and heads of government delegations went to the Olympic village.

Upon arrival to the place of event, official photographing ceremony of high-rank participants of the event took place in front of VIP entrance of the Olympic stadium.

Exciting expectation grows at the stands. All Turkmenistan citizens as well as millions of people from other countries watch grandiose start Once digit “0” appeared on the arena, the whole bowl of the stadium has been lit with emerald green colour and the participants of the show run to the centre making up the shape of the emblem of Ashgabat 2017 Games. Dynamic projection supplemented the image drawing the silhouette of ahalteke horse – the main symbol of V Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, on patterned field.

The State Flag of Turkmenistan was ceremonially carried out to the stadium by the Guards of Honour.

It is followed by the Flag of the Asian Olympic Council.

Spectators greeted President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who addressed the greeting speech to the heads of the states, leaders and members of the delegations, guests and participants of the Games, with long storm of applauses.

Green canvas of the Flag of Turkmenistan was hoisted above the stadium under the sounds of National Anthem. People who filled the stadium with the capacity of 45000, unanimously sang the anthem standing on ther feet and putting one hand on the chest.

After, the floor was given to President of the Asian Olympic Council Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad al Sabah who started his speech with the expression of the gratitude to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, other heads of the states and high-rank guests from different countries, leaders of sport federations, national Olympic committees, all sportsmen and spectators.

Gratitude was expressed to the citizens of Ashgabat and to the whole Turkmen nation for the wam welcome and hospitality.

After that, white flag symbolyzing the Asian Olympic Council was raised.

At the end of the show, celebration fireworks thundered above the capital for a while was the final of grandiose event which left unforgettable moments of impression on all participants. We have 10 days symbolizing celebration, inspiration, friendship and peace!