Sport
The Turkmenistan national team defeated Thailand in a qualifying match for the 2027 Asian Cup
11.06.2025The qualifying match for the 2027 Asian Cup took place in Ashgabat, in which the Turkmenistan national team confidently defeated the Thai team with a score of 3:1. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. The Turkmenistan national team started the match with a clear advantage: in the 36th second, Mihail Titov opened the scoring, taking advantage of a mistake by the opposing defenders. Thailand managed to equalise in the 35th minute when Supachai Chaided took advantage of the moment to restore parity. However, just two minutes later, Yhlas Saparmamedov put Turkmenistan back in the lead with a spectacular strike. The final nail in the coffin was hammered in by team captain Mekan Saparov, who scored the third goal with a header from a set piece. The match was attended by 15,545 spectators. Thanks to this success, Turkmenistan earned three points and strengthened its position in the qualifying group, continuing its fight for a place in the final stage of the 2027 Asian Cup, which will be held in Saudi Arabia.
Turkmenistan youth team is participating in the CAFA-2025 championship
11.06.2025The Turkmenistan U20 national team is participating in the CAFA Championship, which started on 10 June and will be held in the Tajik cities of Gissar and Tursunzade. Six teams will play in the tournament, divided into two groups. This was reported by the online publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. According to the results of the draw, the Turkmen team is in Group B, where its rivals will be the national teams of Iran and Uzbekistan. Group A will feature teams from Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The tournament will be held in the following format: in the group stage, the teams will play each other in a single round. The winners of the groups will meet in the final, and the runners-up will compete for the bronze medals. There will also be a match for fifth place between the worst teams in the groups. The head coach of the Turkmenistan U20 national team since last year is 44-year-old Dovletmyrat Annayev, who has extensive coaching experience. His staff includes Dayanch Karajayev and goalkeeping coach Merdan Saparov. The CAFA-2025 Championship will conclude on 17 June and will be an important stage in the preparation of young Turkmen footballers, allowing them to assess their level on the international stage.
The Turkmenistan national team will play Thailand today in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers
10.06.2025Today, 10 June, Ashgabat will host a qualifying match for the Asian Cup between the national teams of Turkmenistan and Thailand. The game will start at 8 p.m. at the Ashgabat Multipurpose Stadium. This was reported by IIC. The Turkmen team will take to the field in green uniforms and will try to win in the group stage. In addition to Thailand, the Chinese Taipei and Sri Lanka national teams are also competing in Group D. The Turkmenistan national team will play a total of six qualifying matches, five of which are scheduled for this year, with the last one in March 2026. The winner of the group will secure a place in the final tournament of the Asian Cup, which will be held in Saudi Arabia in 2027.
The national teams of Turkmenistan and Thailand are ready for their qualifying match for the 2027 Asian Cup
09.06.2025On 9 June, a press conference was held at the Ashgabat Stadium ahead of the crucial Asian Cup 2027 qualifying match between the national teams of Turkmenistan and Thailand. This was reported by IIC. The head coach of the Thai national team, a Japanese specialist, expressed confidence in his team's good preparation, noting the fighting spirit of the athletes after their recent 2-0 victory over India. He emphasised that the team had come to Ashgabat with the clear goal of winning, despite the changeable weather conditions, and thanked the organisers for their warm welcome. On behalf of Turkmenistan, head coach Rovshen Meredov also declared that the Turkmen team was fully prepared for the upcoming match. He noted that most of the players represent the ‘Arkadag’ football club, which recently won the AFC Cup and became the national champion, which should give them an advantage. Defender Mekan Saparov added that the team is focused solely on victory and will do everything possible to achieve the result. The match between Turkmenistan and Thailand will be an important step in the fight for a place in the final of the 2027 Asian Cup, which will be held in Saudi Arabia.
Turkmen sambo wrestlers won six medals on the first day of the World Cup in Yerevan
08.06.2025Turkmen athletes immediately showed impressive results at the World Sambo Cup, which started in Yerevan, winning six medals on the first day of competition. The prestigious tournament, held from 7 to 8 June, brought together the strongest wrestlers from different countries, and the Turkmenistan national team confidently entered the ranks of the leaders. This was reported by IIC. Three silver medals were won by Babamurat Bayramov in the men's weight category up to 58 kg (sport sambo), Madina Aydogdyeva (up to 59 kg) and Sabina Agajanova (over 80 kg), who competed in women's combat sambo. The bronze medallists were Sapar Dovletov (men, up to 64 kg), Zarina Abdyrahmanova (women, up to 54 kg) and Ziba Orunova (women, up to 65 kg), all three in combat sambo. The competition will end on 8 June.
Turkmen karatekas successfully performed at the tournament in Samarkand
06.06.2025An international kyokushinkai karate tournament was held in Samarkand (Uzbekistan) from 30 May to 1 June, where the national team of Turkmenistan won a number of prizes. This is reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. In men's categories Suleymandurdy Sahedov and Meylis Pashakuliev became champions in the weights up to 70 kg and up to 90 kg respectively, and Myrat Ekayev won silver in the category over 90 kg. Among boys 14-15 years old Bagtyyar Yegenmyradov became the winner in the weight up to 60 kg, bronze went to Ylham Dovletmyradov (over 60 kg) and Yazdurdy Yazdurdyev (up to 50 kg). In the women's category of 14-15 years old over 55kg the whole podium was taken by representatives of Turkmenistan: Lachin Pevieva - gold, Gulnur Saparmyradova - silver. Gurbanbibi Annamuradova (up to 45kg) also won silver. In the category of boys 16-17 years old up to 55 kg Turkmen athletes again took the whole podium: Akmyrat Omarov - gold, Dayanch Dovletov - silver, Soyench Nonikov - bronze. The performance of the national team confirmed the high level of training of athletes and development of kyokushinkai karate in Turkmenistan.
FIFA and FFT held a seminar in Turkmenistan on finding football talent
05.06.2025From 1 to 3 June, a specialised FIFA seminar on identifying football talent was held at the Kopetdag Stadium in Ashgabat. The event, organised by the Football Federation of Turkmenistan with the support of FIFA, brought together coaches of children's and youth teams from across the country. This was reported by the online publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The lead instructor was English expert Richard Allen, who has experience working with top European clubs, including ‘Tottenham Hotspur’ and ‘RB Leipzig’. Over the course of three days, he trained Turkmen specialists in modern methods of searching for and evaluating young footballers. The seminar was also attended by FIFA Technical Director for the region Gayoz Darsadze (Georgia) and head coach of the Turkmenistan national team Rovshen Meredov. The ‘FIFA Talent Identification Course’ programme aims to improve the qualifications of coaching staff and the system for training young players in the country.
Turkmenistan footballers prepare for qualifying match against Thailand
04.06.2025The Turkmenistan national football team has begun training ahead of their second qualifying round match against Thailand in the 2027 Asian Cup, which will take place on 10 June at the Ashgabat Stadium. This was reported by the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. Thirty players have been called up for the squad, 23 of whom will make the final line-up. The extended list includes foreign-based players, such as Teymur Charyev from Belarusian club ‘Torpedo-BelAZ’ and Mikhail Titov from Kyrgyz club ‘Uzgen’. Training is taking place twice a day at the Nisa Stadium under the guidance of new head coach Rovshen Meredov. The training programme will end on 9 June and includes tactical and physical training. Both teams, Turkmenistan and Thailand, are at the top of Group D. In the first round, the Turkmenistan national team beat Chinese Taipei (2-1), while Thailand defeated Sri Lanka (1-0). The winners of the six groups will advance to the final stage of the tournament, which will be hosted by Saudi Arabia for the first time. Eighteen teams, including the host Saudi Arabia, have already secured their places in the final. The Asian Cup is held every four years. The current champion is Qatar, which won in 2019 and 2023.
Embassy of Turkmenistan organized a bicycle ride in Tbilisi in honor of World Bicycle Day
03.06.2025On 3 June, a festive bicycle ride organised by the Embassy of Turkmenistan took place in Georgia. The event combined three significant occasions: World Bicycle Day (an initiative of Turkmenistan at the UN), the International Year of Peace and Trust, and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality. This was reported by the IIC. A column of cyclists, including representatives of the Georgian National Cycling Federation, professional athletes and coaches, rode through the picturesque streets of Tbilisi and the historic centre of ancient Mtskheta. The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to Georgia, Dovletmyrat Seyitmamamedov, emphasised the special significance of this holiday in his speech. He recalled that World Bicycle Day, established on the initiative of Turkmenistan, has become an important tool for international cooperation through sport. The diplomat also spoke about Turkmenistan's large-scale programmes for the development of cycling. The event concluded with the presentation of commemorative gifts to the participants of the campaign, which once again demonstrated Turkmenistan's commitment to the principles of a healthy lifestyle and international cooperation.
Turkmenistan's embassies in Austria, Romania and Pakistan held mass bike rides
03.06.2025Turkmenistan's diplomatic missions organised a series of bicycle rallies in different countries around the world, highlighting the importance of the initiative that Turkmenistan proposed and successfully promoted at the UN. In the last days of May and early June, bicycle rallies were held simultaneously in several capitals. This was reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. In Vienna, Turkmen citizens temporarily residing in Austria rode through the picturesque Donauinsel Park. In Pakistan's Islamabad, a column of cyclists started from the square in front of the Presidential Palace, with special attention paid to young participants due to the coincidence of the event with the International Children's Day. In Bucharest, not only diplomats and students, but also representatives of local authorities and environmental organisations joined the action. At all events, it was emphasised that the establishment of World Bicycle Day at the initiative of Turkmenistan was an important contribution to the global sustainable development agenda. The initiative symbolises the desire for a healthy lifestyle, environmental responsibility and international unity. Participants noted that such events not only promote the bicycle as an environmentally friendly mode of transport, but also strengthen friendly ties between peoples.
Turkmenistan held a bicycle rally in Kazan in honour of World Bicycle Day
03.06.2025The Consulate General of Turkmenistan in the Russian Federation organised a bicycle race through picturesque places of Kazan, dedicated to World Bicycle Day - an initiative put forward by Turkmenistan at the UN. This is reported by IIC. The participants overcame the route from the extreme park ‘Uram’ to the Kazan Kremlin along the picturesque embankment of the Kazanka River. Consulate staff and Turkmen students studying in Kazan universities took an active part in the action. At the opening ceremony, the head of the Turkmen diplomatic mission emphasised the special symbolism of the event in the context of the International Year of Peace and Trust. It was noted that the bicycle as an environmentally friendly mode of transport unites people, promoting mutual understanding between peoples. In his speech, special emphasis was placed on the role of sports diplomacy in the foreign policy strategy of Turkmenistan. The organisers noted that such events contribute to the development of important qualities in the young generation - determination, self-confidence and commitment to a healthy lifestyle. This is fully in line with the policy of Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov in the field of youth and sports diplomacy.
Embassy of Turkmenistan in Georgia organized a football tournament
03.06.2025A football tournament organised by the Embassy of Turkmenistan with the participation of leading Georgian sports clubs was held in Georgia from 27 May to 2 June this year. The event was part of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's neutrality and the International Year of Peace and Trust. This was reported by the IIC. In his opening speech, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to Georgia D. Seyitmammedov emphasised the importance of sport as an instrument of international cooperation. He noted that the tournament reflects Turkmenistan's commitment to a healthy lifestyle and the development of sports diplomacy. Special attention was paid to the Memorandum of Understanding between the sports departments of Turkmenistan and Georgia. This document, signed during the meeting between President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze, laid the foundation for bilateral cooperation in the sports sphere. The tournament was attended by teams of Georgian clubs ‘Sportuni’ (Georgian University of Sport), as well as the legendary football club ‘Kartli’, which has brought up many famous athletes. During seven days young footballers demonstrated a bright emotional game, combining sportsmanship with the spirit of healthy competition. At the end of the tournament, all participants were awarded with commemorative certificates. The tournament confirmed Turkmenistan's role as an active participant in the international sports dialogue and demonstrated the effectiveness of sports diplomacy in strengthening interstate relations.
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