Sport
The Turkmenistan U-17 national team will start in Pot 2 of the Asian Cup qualifiers
05.08.2026Turkmenistan’s U-17 football team has been placed in Pot 2 ahead of the draw for the 2027 AFC U-17 Championship qualifiers, which is due to take place on 27 August. The final stage of the tournament will be held in Uzbekistan from 12 to 29 May 2027, according to IIC of Turkmenistan. Nine participants in the final stage have already been determined following the results of the previous edition. In addition to Uzbekistan, these include the national teams of Australia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Japan, China, Vietnam, the Republic of Korea and Qatar. The remaining seven places will be contested in a single qualifying round from 8 to 20 November 2026. Thirty-five teams will take part, divided into seven groups. The group winners will progress to the final stage. In the second pot, alongside Turkmenistan, are the national teams of Malaysia, Iraq, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Kuwait and Laos, so they will not face each other in the group stage. The first pot comprises Yemen, Thailand, Indonesia, the UAE, India, Oman and Iran, whilst the third pot includes Afghanistan, Syria, Bahrain, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Hong Kong and Palestine. The fourth and fifth pots comprise the national teams of Pakistan, Mongolia, Singapore, Lebanon, the Philippines, Chinese Taipei, Bhutan, Cambodia, Macau, Brunei, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Guam.
Cyclists from Turkmenistan and Abu Dhabi are holding a training camp in Ashgabat
05.08.2026A joint training camp involving the Abu Dhabi cycling club and the Turkmenistan national team is taking place in Ashgabat from 4 to 20 August. This has been reported by IIC of Turkmenistan. Twenty-eight representatives of the UAE club are taking part in the event, including management, the coaching staff, a technical specialist and 24 athletes. Training sessions are taking place at the Olympic Village facilities, as well as on the streets and cycle routes of the capital. The training camp programme includes road races along Ataturk, Archabil and Kopetdag avenues and in the Gokdere area. The cyclists will cover distances ranging from 60 to 150 kilometres, with the total training distance amounting to approximately 1,270 kilometres. Six training sessions and three instructional seminars are scheduled to take place at a dedicated velodrome. The sessions are being organised in collaboration with relevant state bodies, which are providing safety and medical support. Cooperation between the Abu Dhabi Cycling Club and the Turkmen Cycling Federation has been developing since 2023 and includes joint training camps and participation in international competitions. Fifteen athletes from the Turkmenistan national team are taking part in the current training sessions under the guidance of head coach Kakabay Atayev and his assistant, Igor Yoldashev. Following the conclusion of the training camp in Ashgabat, the Turkmenistan national team will take part in the Track Asia Cup in Thailand, which will take place on 28–30 August. The highlight of the season will be the Asian Games in Japan.
Turkmen athletes have won 471 medals since the start of the year
04.08.2026Athletes from Turkmenistan won 471 medals at international competitions between January and July this year. This was announced by B. Mammedov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, at a government meeting where the country’s socio-economic development over the first seven months of 2026 was reviewed. It was noted that during this period, work was carried out to develop physical education and sport, and to train professional athletes. Turkmen athletes, having achieved excellent results at major competitions, won 56 medals in July. Thus, over the seven-month period, the national team’s medal tally rose to 471. Having heard the report, the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, emphasised the importance of effective work in the fields of science and education, healthcare and sport. The need to improve the quality of teaching and to modernise the healthcare system in a systematic manner was also highlighted. The Head of State instructed the Deputy Prime Minister to pay particular attention to the development of sport.
FC ‘Arkadag’ have won the Turkmenistan Super Cup three times
04.08.2026‘Arkadag’ Football Club has won the Turkmenistan Super Cup for the third year running. In the final, the team beat ‘Ahal’ 3–0, according to the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The match took place at the ‘Nusaý’ Stadium in Ashgabat. The goals were scored by Rahman Myratberdiyev (19th minute), Begench Akmammedov (57) and Shanazar Tirkishov (79). The Turkmenistan Super Cup, established by the Turkmenistan Football Federation, has been contested between the league champions and the national cup winners since 2005. Last season, ‘Arkadag’ won both the Turkmenistan league title and the national cup, whilst ‘Ahal’ earned the right to compete for the trophy as cup finalists. FC ‘Arkadag’, founded in 2023, has won the national championship every season since its inception. In the last two seasons, the team has completed the treble, winning the Turkmenistan championship, the Cup and the Super Cup. The team is managed by Vladimir Bayramov. Last May, ‘Arkadag’ won the 2024/25 AFC Challenge League Cup, and in the 2025/26 AFC Champions League season, they reached the round of 16. ‘Arkadag’s next international match will be on 12 August at home against the Indian club ‘Goa’ in the preliminary round of the 2026/27 AFC Champions League 2.
Turkmenistan secured a convincing victory over Iraq in the Davis Cup tournament
27.07.2026The men's tennis team from Turkmenistan beat the Iraqi team 3–0 at the Davis Cup zonal tournament in Colombo (Sri Lanka). This was reported by the news website Asmannews. The victory for the Turkmenistan team was secured by Resul Atayev, Ali Geldiyev, and the doubles pairing of Selim Chagylov and Ali Geldiyev, who won their doubles match. Despite the one-sided scoreline, the match lasted over five hours. Due to this victory, the Turkmenistan national team will continue their fight to retain their place in Group IV of the Asia-Oceania zone. In the decisive play-off match, the Turkmen tennis players will face the Northern Mariana Islands team. The winner will retain their place in Group IV, whilst the loser will be relegated to Group V.
An international cycling training camp is to be held in Ashgabat
26.07.2026On 24 July, during a government meeting, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Batyr Mammedov briefed President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on preparations for joint training camps in Ashgabat involving athletes from the Abu Dhabi Cycling Club and the Turkmenistan national cycling team. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, the necessary organisational work is currently underway to ensure the event is held to a high standard. The training camp programme also includes specialist seminars. In this regard, B. Mammedov submitted a corresponding proposal to the Head of State for consideration. Having heard the report, Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that measures to develop sport and support talented athletes are being consistently implemented in Turkmenistan. Having approved the proposal to hold joint cycling training camps in Ashgabat, the Head of State instructed the Deputy Prime Minister to ensure they are organised to the required standard.
A Turkmen athlete defeated his Brazilian opponent at ‘UAE Warriors 72’
26.07.2026Turkmen athlete Ata Atdayev performed well at the ‘UAE Warriors 72’ international mixed martial arts tournament, held on 23 July in Abu Dhabi. This was reported by the online publication Arzuw News. During the tournament, A. Atdayev faced Brazilian fighter Paulo Victor. Following a tense contest, the representative from Turkmenistan emerged victorious. The ‘UAE Warriors’ tournament series, held regularly in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is considered one of the most prestigious venues for mixed martial arts competitions in the region and attracts participants from around the world. Aty Atdayev’s victory was further proof of the successful performances of Turkmen fighters on the international MMA stage.
The Turkmenistan Basketball Federation has launched its official website
23.07.2026The Turkmenistan Basketball Federation (TBF) has launched its official website, tkm.basketball. The launch was announced by the federation’s technical director, Bagtyyar Ibragimov, according to Turkmenportal. The platform has been created for fans, players and coaches. It will feature information on competitions, teams, national team results and the federation’s activities. The website is currently operating in test mode. Further content and technical improvements are planned. The Turkmenistan Basketball Federation was established in 1992. The organisation brings together more than 500 registered players and 36 regional clubs, holds over 100 tournaments annually and is a member of the National Olympic Committee of Turkmenistan. Since 1998, the Turkmenistan Basketball Federation has been a member of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).
Turkmen tennis players are set to begin their campaign in the Davis Cup tournament
23.07.2026The Turkmenistan national tennis team are set to begin their campaign in the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Zone Group IV qualifying tournament, which is taking place in Colombo (Sri Lanka). This was reported by the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. Following the draw, the Turkmenistan team will compete in Group B alongside the national teams of Iraq, Kyrgyzstan and Kuwait. The Turkmenistan players will face the Kuwaiti team in their first match. At the end of the tournament, the top two teams will secure places in Group III of the Asia-Oceania Zone. The Turkmenistan squad comprises Yuri Rogussky, Selim Chagylov, Ali Geldiyev and Resul Atayev. The team captain is Meylis Orazmuhamedov, and the head coach is Mirali Gasanov. Last year, the Turkmen tennis players won the Group V tournament, securing four victories with an aggregate score of 12–0, and earned the right to compete in Group IV of the Davis Cup.
The Turkmenistan junior national team is competing at the World Freestyle Wrestling Championships
21.07.2026The Turkmenistan national team will compete at the Under-17 Freestyle Wrestling World Championships, which are taking place in Baku from 21 July to 4 August. This was reported by IIC of Turkmenistan. Ahead of the competition, the team completed the final stage of their preparations for the world championships. The Turkmenistan squad comprises Noker Guvanjov (up to 65 kg weight class), Mekan Hudayberenov (up to 71 kg) and Shaapbas Esgerov (up to 80 kg). At the championships, these young wrestlers will represent Turkmenistan and compete for world championship medals, whilst having the opportunity to demonstrate the standard of their training on the international stage.
Turkmen footballers have won the ‘Gothia Cup’
18.07.2026From 12 to 16 July, Sweden hosted the ‘Gothia Cup’, an international 7-a-side football tournament for athletes with intellectual disabilities. Turkmenistan was represented by a delegation of 18 people, including 14 athletes, three coaches and a team manager, according to the IIC. The Turkmenistan men’s team emerged as the winners of Group II. During the tournament, the team beat India 6–0, Finland 7–0 and Estonia 7–3. In the final on 16 July, the Turkmen footballers faced Estonia once again and secured a 4–3 victory, taking first place. The Turkmenistan women’s national team competed in Group V. The team lost to Uzbekistan 1–6, Finland 0–1, Latvia 0–1, Germany 1–7 and Lithuania 0–1. Germany were crowned group winners.
Sports cooperation with Pakistan was discussed in Turkmenistan
17.07.2026On 15 July, Faryal Leghari, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Turkmenistan, met with Allaberdi Saparov, Chairman of the State Committee for Physical Culture and Sport of Turkmenistan. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed prospects for the development of bilateral cooperation in the field of sport. The Ambassador presented the Turkmen side with official ‘Trionda’ footballs, manufactured for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. According to Faryal Leghari, a ball from the professional series was also presented to the President of the Turkmenistan Football Federation, Guvanchmuhammet Ovekov. During the meeting, the parties expressed an interest in organising friendly matches between athletes from Turkmenistan and Pakistan.
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