PRESIDENT OF TURKMENISTAN AND IWF PRESIDENT EXCHANGE THE VIEWS ON THE PROSPECTS OF COOPERATION

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov received President of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), Tamás Aján. 

Greeting the IWF Head, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov awarded him the memorial signs of the 2018 World Weightlifting Championship that has brought together the best sportsmen on the planet. 

Thanking for the attention and the opportunity of a personal meeting, the guest congratulated the President of Turkmenistan on the success of the World Championship and on behalf of all the participants of the tournament expressed gratitude for the hospitality and favourable conditions created for the competitions. Mr. Tamás Aján underlined that the first international Olympic contest held in Ashgabat had become another contribution of Turkmenistan to the development of the sports diplomacy in the region and the world. 

Expressing satisfaction with the fruitful character of cooperation with this authoritative structure, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov underlined that our state paid paramount attention to the comprehensive development of sport. The Turkmen leader noted that all necessary measures had been taken in order to hold the competitions at the high organizational level and confirmed Turkmenistan’s commitment to strengthen fruitful relations and contribute to widening the partnership with all interested parties in this sphere. 

During the meeting, the President of Turkmenistan and his guest exchanged their views on the prospects of cooperation and emphasized the most favourable prospects for its development. Particular attention was paid to the large-scale work taken place in the county to popularize the physical culture and health improving movement, the healthy life style and create all conditions for practicing various sports. According to the President of Turkmenistan, the modern sports complexes are erected in the capital, the regions and the Avaza National tourist zone to host international contests. 

The IWF President highly evaluated our country’s achievements in this sphere that is vividly exemplified by the V Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games and other tournaments held in the country, Turkmen athletes’ numerous victories at various contests, modern sports complexes, including the largest in the region Olympic Village. 

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and IWF President, Tamás Aján discussed the preliminary results of the 2018 World Championship that brought together the athletes from more than a hundred states, including the countries of Africa, Europe, America and Oceania. Five countries competed for the right to host the tournament, but IWF decided to hold it in Turkmenistan that has achieved remarkable results in all spheres, including sport. 

The IWF President emphasized that due to the modern infrastructure of sports and the positive national experience in organizing various tournaments, the 2018 World Weightlifting Championship had become a memorable event that has raised the international authority of the country. 

Underlining that Turkmenistan received requests to host the world competitions in cycling, sambo, boxing and the Asian Beach Games in the near future, the President of Turkmenistan expressed the willingness to consider the possibility to organize the weightlifting championship in our country one more time in the future. 

Expressing gratitude for the offer, the IWF President underlined that the International Weightlifting Federation would continue providing every possible support to the further development of the Turkmen school of weightlifting. 

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and IWF President, Tamás Aján expressed belief in the further development of the fruitful cooperation between Turkmenistan and IWF that has great potential and meets the constructive goals of the international sports movement.