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FISU visits Ashgabat to discuss University Sport

FISU 26 January 2018

FISU President Oleg Matytsin and Secretary General/CEO Eric Saintrond paid a working visit to Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan on 23-24 January.

 FISU President Oleg Matytsin (right) and FISU Secretary General/CEO Eric Saintrond during their tour in Turkmenistan

The visit to Ashgabat started with sojourn around the Olympic Park, which recently hosted the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games. FISU Executives were accompanied by Mr Dayanch Gulgeldiyev, Chairman of AIMAG Games who now heads of the administration of the Olympic Park. The group made a tour of the venues and the athletes’ village.

 

It was then time to meet with Mr Sapardurdy Toyliyev, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan who is in charge of Education, Science and Tourism, and Mr Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. During the visits the parties discussed the results of the Asian Games and outlineds ways to expand cooperation between FISU and Turkmenistan.

 

On the next day the programme continued with a meeting with Mr Toyli Komekov, Head of the State Committee of Sport of Turkmenistan, and Mr Azat Muradov, Secretary General of the Turkmenistan National Olympic Committee.

 

The country has been paying great attention to developing and promoting sport over the last decade, considering it as both a practical tool of social advancement and a way to strengthen Turkmenistan’s international stance and intensify its foreign relations.

 

The successful experience of Asian Games in Ashgabat created the necessary conditions for hosting more international sports events in the foreseeable future. Turkmenistan has already been chosen as the host of the 2018 International Weightlifting Federation World Championships, but the advanced infrastructure of the Olympic Parc in Ashgabat is ready for more.