THE HEAD OF THE STATE DISCUSSES PREPARATION TO THE TRACK CYCLING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS WITH DAVID LAPPARTIENT AND IGOR MAKAROV

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov received the President of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) David Lappartient and the Head of ARETI International Group Igor Makarov.

Having expressed the gratitude for spared time and invitation to visit our country, the guests congratulated the Head of the State on National Turkmen Horse Holiday.

Having expressed the gratitude for congratulations and good words, the President noted that Turkmenistan pays special attention to the protection of unique heritage and primordial traditions of the nation, which include unique art of ahalteke horse breeding. This is embodied in the holiday, which is widely observed in the country and brings together numerous guests from different countries in Turkmen land every year.

Cooperation in sports, especially in cycling, was the subject of interested exchange of the opinions. The guest noted that Turkmenistan has all capabilities including multifunctional profile infrastructure, which meets the world standards by all parameters, for organization and conduct of international competitions, training of high-class sportsmen. This is visually indicated by the Olympic village of the capital with an excellent indoor racing track.

Major activity expanded in Turkmenistan for popularization of cycling finds support and recognition of the world community. This is indicated by the Resolution on declaration of June 3 as the World Bicycle Day at the 82nd session of the 72nd UN General Assembly.

In this context, current subjects of cooperation between our country and the Union Cycliste Internationale including on organization of 2021 Track Cycling World Championships have been discussed. In this regard, the President of the UCI expressed the confidence that Turkmenistan will be able to host these prestige competitions on high level.

Opportunity of organization of the UCI Road World Championships in our country in 2026 has also been reviewed. Having expressed sincere gratitude to the Head of the State for support of this idea, David Lappartient noted that Turkmenistan has all necessary conditions and infrastructure of organization of similar competitions.

During the meeting, the sides also discussed the subjects of cooperation in training of Turkmen sportsmen of international class and opening of specialized school for this. The President of the UCI highlighted that owing to targeted measures, the cycling has big future in Turkmenistan. The activity of the Head of the State in this direction and in general in sport development is a deserving example, the guest noted.

During the meeting, the Head of ARETI International Group Igor Makarov informed about the activity of his Holding in our country, having confirmed the interest in the implementation of new joint projects in oil, gas and other spheres.

Having noted productive character of old cooperation with the ARETI International Group, the Head of the State highlighted that implementing the strategy of innovative diversification, Turkmenistan is open for beneficial contacts with foreign partners.

In the end of the meeting, having expressed the gratitude to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for support in activation of the cooperation including in sport sphere, the heads of the UCI and ARETI International Group wished success to the Head of the State in his activity for the prosperity of Turkmenistan and enhancement of its status as sport country.