Six thousands of sportsmen from 45 countries of Asia region, and 19 countries of Australia and Oceania, that is 64 countries as a whole, are taking part in “Ashgabat 2017” V Asian Indoors and Martial Arts Games, which is taking place in Ashgabat, capital of Turkmenistan.  

 

Serge Sargsyan, President of Armenia, also was among the honorary guests that attended the “Ashgabat 2017” opening ceremony.  

Within the Asiada-2017 opening, a grandiose show was presented, with participation of around 8 thousands of performers, 65 Turkmen Ahalteke horses, 34 camels and one dog – Turkmen Alabai (Central Asian shepherd dog) that is a symbol of the Olympic Games. In the course of the pageant, subjects from history of Turkmenistan were presented, and its culture, as well.  

 

The opening ceremony started with began with the raising of the national flag of Turkmenistan, as the host country of the Games, as well as the flag of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) was raised. Turkmenistan’s national anthem was performed, and other traditional rituals were produced. At the end of the ceremony Olympic flame was lit, which is an indispensable attribute of the Olympic Games. Show with the Olympic flame lightning become the most impressive and spectacular, and it was conducted with participation of an Ahalteke horse. 

 

Balich Worldwide Shows Company, which is well-known as world shows’ organizer, developed the program of the show. In particular, this company earlier has worked for projects concerning Sochi 2014 Olympic Games closing ceremony, national holidays for the United Arab Emirates and Kazakhstan, etc.  

Within the framework of the Asiada-2017 program, competitions in 21 sports will be organized, such as chess, mini football, tennis, muay thai (Thai boxing), sambo, kurash, jujitsu, bowling, track cycling, swimming in 50-meter pool, athletics, weightlifting (powerlifting), basketball, taekwondo (WTF), dance sport, kickboxing, belt-wrestling, sport wrestling (Greco-Roman and freestyle), billiards, stadium jumping, and goresh, which is Turkmen national wrestling sport. Australia, American Samoa, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Vanuatu, East Timor, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Guam, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Jordan, Yemen, Cambodia, Kiribati, China, Korea, Laos, Lebanon, Tonga, Tuvalu, Syria, Japan, and other countries are among 64 participant countries.

 

Asiada-2017 is being held in Olympic village, the area of which amounts to 157 hectares and includes more than 30 unique objects, including Paralympic complex and rehabilitation medical center. For comfortable movement throughout a huge comlex territory, a monorail operates, connecting sports town, designed for 12 thousand `residents`, with its other objects. Polimeks Turkish company made design and construction of the Olympic stadium.

Two objects of the Olympic village – art picture of Ahalteke steed at the Olympic stadium and Water sports complex with the world's largest indoor swimming pool, are included in the Guinness book of records. Certificates confirming this fact have referred to Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the President of Turkmenistan.

First such Games took place in 2005 in Bangkok, Thailand, second in 2007 in Macao, and third were organized in 2009 in Vietnam. Starting from IV Asian Indoor Games, they have begun held every four years, with addition of martial arts competitions in the program. Fourth Asiada took place in 2013, in Korean Incheon city. Decision concerning holding V Asian Indoors and Martial Arts Games in 2017 in Ashgabat was made in 2010 the capital of Kuwait, where the headquarters of the Olympic Council of Asia, which unites 45 states, is located.  

 

The name of the Ashgabat 2017 is Vepaly, which, translated from Turkmen language, means `faithful`.  The alabai dog is one of the national values of Turkmen people. Alabais, distinguishing themselves with courage and fearlessness, for centuries have been shepherds' reliable helpers in guarding the sheep flocks in the harsh desert conditions. And today, Turkmens treat alabais with great respect for not only as brave defenders, but also as faithful friends. 

 

 

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