Sport
The match between ‘Arkadag’ and ‘Al-Nassr’ will be refereed by a referee from Bahrain
09.02.2026The 39-year-old referee from Bahrain, Ammar Ebrahim Hasan Mahfoodh, has been appointed as the main referee for the AFC Champions League Round of 16 match between ‘Arkadag’ and Saudi Arabia's ‘Al-Nassr’. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. His assistants will be Mohamed Jaafar Mohamed Salman and Abdulla Saleh Abdulla Mohsen Alrowaimi. Mohamed Khaled Tarrar will serve as the reserve referee, while Kuwaiti referee Abdullah Al-Kandari will be responsible for the VAR system. The match will take place in Ashgabat on Wednesday, 11 February. Kick-off is at 18:45 local time.
Before the match between ‘Arkadag’ and ‘Al-Nassr’, fans can enjoy a musical programme
09.02.2026Before the AFC Champions League Round of 16 match between ‘Arkadag’ and ‘Al-Nassr’ football clubs, which will take place on 11 February in Ashgabat, a festive concert programme featuring Turkmen pop stars will be organised for fans. This announcement was published on the website of the Ashgabat Passenger Transport Company. The festivities will begin at 17:00. In this regard, spectators are advised to arrive at the Olympic Stadium in advance and pass through security checks in a timely manner. The organisers note that the event will be a colourful addition to the football match and will give fans the atmosphere of a real sporting celebration.
Turkmen athletes won 18 medals at a ju-jitsu tournament in Italy
09.02.2026The Turkmenistan national team won 18 medals at an International Ju-Jitsu Ranking Tournament held in Genoa, Italy. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. At the end of the competition, Turkmen athletes took third place in the overall medal standings, winning 7 gold, 6 silver and 5 bronze medals. More than 450 athletes from 30 countries participated in the tournament. The Turkmenistan national team consisted of 18 athletes from various educational institutions across the country. Gold medals in their respective categories were won by: Norjev Soltanmyrat (56 kg), Rahmanov Shyhberdi (62 kg), Ovezov Yslam (69 kg), Taganov Rahmet (77 kg), Gokbeyeva Suray (57 kg), Abdyeva Hurma (52 kg) and Yollyev Eziz (85 kg). Silver medals were awarded to: Rovshenov Bayram (56 kg), Kullyeva Aynur (48 kg), Nuryev Suleyman (62 kg), Amanmyradov Annagurt (77 kg), Dovvayev Seyran (85 kg) and Esenov Gudrat (69 kg). Bronze medalists were: Garajayev Abdyrahman (56 kg), Kuliyev Dayanch (77 kg), Rahmanov Parahat (62 kg) and Myradov Bagtyyar (85 kg). The Italian team topped the medal table, winning 50 medals: 17 gold, 14 silver and 19 bronze. Kazakhstan took second place with 25 medals (7 gold, 10 silver and 8 bronze).
The Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the Kingdom of Thailand presented copies of his credentials
09.02.2026On 9 February, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Thailand (residence – Kuala Lumpur) M. Mashalov met with the Director of the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia Chakkrid Krachaiwong, during which copies of the credentials were presented. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The Thai side congratulated the Ambassador on his appointment, wished him success and confirmed its readiness to support him in his diplomatic work. The parties discussed the importance of high-level negotiations for the development of inter-state dialogue and the possibility of organising visits by Heads of State. At the end of the meeting, it was decided to maintain regular contacts between the foreign ministries of Turkmenistan and Thailand to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
Media forum in Ashgabat highlights prospects for Chinese-Turkmen partnership
09.02.2026Independent journalist from China, expert on international relations and sports, commentator for CCTV-5 television channel Yang Sheng, spoke at the media forum “FC ‘Arkadag’ – The Pride and Future of Turkmen Football”. He noted the strategic partnership between China and Turkmenistan, linked to the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ and the Turkmen doctrine of ‘Revival of the Great Silk Road,’ reports IIC. Yang Sheng highlighted three areas of cooperation: strengthening energy ties, educational projects (including the Luban Workshop) and cooperation in the field of regional security in the ‘Central Asia-China’ and SCO formats. He stressed that the upcoming AFC Champions League match was an opportunity to bring together media professionals from around the world. In conclusion, Yang Sheng noted that the partnership between the two countries, based on mutual respect, opens up opportunities in the digital economy and ‘green’ energy, creating prospects for joint development.
Robert Frantsev noted the significance of FC ‘Arkadag’s successes for Turkmenistan
09.02.2026At a press conference held by the media forum “FC ‘Arkadag’ – The Pride and Future of Turkmen Football”, ahead of the historic match in Ashgabat, Robert Frantsev, a correspondent for the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company, noted the successes of FC ‘Arkadag’ as important for Turkmenistan. This was reported by IIC. He emphasised that the club's rapid growth was the result of a state programme to develop sports infrastructure and promote a healthy lifestyle. The basis for this success is the material and technical base created for the 2017 Asian Games, which continues to be actively used for mass sports. Frantsev noted that the match is important not only as a sporting event, but also as an opportunity to present the culture, hospitality and natural wealth of Turkmenistan to an international audience. According to him, the game will give a powerful impetus to the younger generation, inspiring children across the country to take up sports and develop a will to win.
Moldovan expert praised the organisation of the match between ‘Arkadag’ and ‘Al-Nassr’
09.02.2026At an international sports conference in Ashgabat, Natalia Donets, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Sport-Time.org and Representative of the Moldovan Football Federation, shared her impressions of the organisation of the AFC Champions League match between FC ‘Arkadag’ and ‘Al-Nassr’. This was reported by IIC. For Donets, this was her first experience with Asian football. She noted the professional preparation for the match and the rapid progress of ‘Arkadag’, emphasising the club's focus on developing its own talent as a sign of a long-term sports strategy. The expert also highlighted the scale of the volunteer movement: more than 500 volunteers participated in the organisation of the game. According to her, such community involvement demonstrates the country's dedication to sport. Donets added that events of this level promote cultural exchange, reinforce the principles of fair play and inspire children in Turkmenistan to participate in sports.
The match between ‘Arkadag’ and ‘Al-Nassr’ will be broadcast in 168 countries around the world
09.02.2026At the media forum, Annasahet Kakayev, Deputy Chairman of the State Committee of Turkmenistan for Television, Radio Broadcasting and Cinematography, spoke about preparations for the broadcast of the FC ‘Arkadag’ vs ‘Al-Nassr’ match. This was reported by IIC. He noted that through cooperation with the Asian Football Confederation and Asia Football Group, viewers in 168 countries will be able to watch the game. Thirty-nine media systems have acquired the rights to broadcast the match, which will ensure wide audience coverage. The broadcast will be conducted in accordance with high international standards: filming at the stadium with 14 cameras and the work of more than 220 specialists. Two mobile satellite stations, ‘Türkmen Älemi’ and ‘Eutelsat’, will be used to transmit the signal. Professional commentary will be provided in Turkmen and English in three booths at the Olympic Stadium. Fan zones have been set up in the ‘Aşgabat’, ‘Berkarar’ and ‘Arkaç’ shopping centres in Ashgabat. Kakayev emphasised that comprehensive coverage of the event will showcase the country's sporting potential and the development of Turkmen television and media technologies.
Young athletes from Turkmenistan visited the Olympic Village
09.02.2026Students from the capital's School for Young Olympic Athletes visited the Olympic Village in Ashgabat. The trip was organised with the support of the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship, according to the state news agency TDH. The schoolchildren visited the sports complex, which was the main venue for the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in 2017. They visited the village museum, where they were told about the history of the Games and competitions in 21 sports. Special attention was paid to the symbols of the Asian Games and information about preparations for international tournaments held at the complex's facilities. The students then visited the Olympic Stadium, which can seat 45,000 spectators, where they watched the ‘Arkadag’ football club train. The team is preparing for the AFC Champions League Round of 16 match against ‘Al-Nassr’ from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The ‘Arkadag’ FC players talked with the school students and presented them with commemorative gifts. The young athletes noted that learning about the conditions for training and holding international competitions was an important experience for them.
Young wrestlers from Turkmenistan won medals at the ‘RWL-VI Riada Wrestling Liga’
09.02.2026Turkmen freestyle wrestlers showed impressive results at the international tournament ‘RWL-VI Riada Wrestling Liga’, which took place from 7 to 8 February in Grozny. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. Athletes born between 2006 and 2008 participated in the competition, and Turkmen athletes won medals in five weight categories. Suleyman Musagulyev achieved the greatest success, becoming the winner in the heaviest category — up to 125 kg. Azatberdi Asyrgulyev won silver in the 65 kg category. Three bronze medals were won by Azimberdi Asyrgulyev (57 kg), Dagan Guvanchmyradov (61 kg) and Batyr Begenjov (74 kg). The results of the young athletes confirm the effectiveness of the reserve training system and the high level of work of the coaching staff. The successful performance in Grozny was further proof of the growing competitiveness of the Turkmen freestyle wrestling school.
Turkmen referee officiated at the Asian Futsal Cup quarter-final
06.02.2026Turkmen FIFA referee Timur Ramazanov refereed the Asian Futsal Cup quarter-final match in Indonesia between Japan and Afghanistan, together with his Iranian colleague Ebrahim Mehrabiafshar. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. T. Ramazanov had already worked at the tournament: he refereed the group stage match between Japan and Australia and was the third referee in the match between Iraq and South Korea. His high qualifications allowed him to be included in the pool of referees for the key stages of the championship. In the quarter-finals, Japan defeated Afghanistan (6-0), Iraq beat Thailand (4-2), Indonesia defeated Vietnam (3-2), and Iran defeated Uzbekistan (7-4).
Turkmen athletes will compete for medals at the Asian Road Cycling Championships
05.02.2026The Turkmenistan national cycling team will compete in the 45th Asian Road Cycling Championships, which will be held from 5 to 13 February in Saudi Arabia. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The team consists of seven athletes: two in the ‘elite’ category and five among the juniors. They will take part in individual time trials and group competitions. Turkmenistan will be represented in the ‘elite’ category by Berdimyrat Yasyev and Begench Hudaygulyev, both third-year students at specialised universities. Among the juniors will be Daniil Nurlyev, Alexander Saushkin, Resul Byashov, Seyitbek Nurlayev and Angelina Ryabova. The delegation is headed by Vitaly Zatsepin, Secretary General of the Cycling Federation. The coaching staff consists of Igor Yuldashev and mechanic Kakabay Atayev. Athletes from more than 40 Asian countries, including China, Japan, Korea, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Iran, will take part in the competition. The tournament is held under the auspices of the Asian Cycling Confederation and will take place simultaneously with the 32nd Junior and 14th Asian Para-Cycling Championships.
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