The development of physical education and sport in Turkmenistan is one of the key priorities of state policy. The country places particular emphasis on creating the conditions for participation in sport, training the next generation of athletes, developing professional sport and enhancing the international competitiveness of the national teams.

As part of efforts to achieve these objectives, sports infrastructure, specialised schools and training centres are being developed, and opportunities are being created to host competitions and train qualified specialists.

Work with young people holds a special place. Sports competitions are regularly held amongst school pupils, students and young athletes. Representatives from all regions of the country take part in these, which helps to broaden the sporting base and identify promising athletes. The development of student sport is also regarded as an important component of training the next generation of athletes.

In 2026, the international results achieved by Turkmen athletes continue to demonstrate the effectiveness of this system. In the first seven months alone, the national teams won 471 medals at international competitions. In the months that followed, the athletes continued to compete in continental and world events, adding to the country’s medal tally.

Moreover, the geographical scope and diversity of these achievements span a wide range of disciplines. Turkmen athletes perform successfully in combat sports, weightlifting and athletics, chess, boxing, wrestling and other sports. A significant proportion of these results are achieved by members of the younger generation, which testifies to the development of the sports talent development system.

At the same time, the system for training coaches, referees and other specialists is being improved. International seminars and training courses are regularly held in Turkmenistan, focusing on modern training methods, competition rules, refereeing and the organisation of sporting events. Representatives of the country also take part in specialist training programmes abroad. This helps to improve the qualifications of staff and to integrate international standards into the national sports system.

International cooperation is also of great importance. Turkmen national teams take part in competitions at various levels, whilst national federations collaborate with international and regional sports organisations. Such cooperation enables athletes to gain experience of competing at major international events, and allows specialists to exchange professional knowledge and best practices.

The sports infrastructure is also being developed. Sports facilities, training grounds and specialised institutions are being modernised across the country. The creation of modern training conditions is accompanied by the development of medical and diagnostic support for athletes. Taken together, this creates the necessary environment for the systematic training of athletes.

A separate element of state support is the provision of financial incentives for sporting achievements. Athletes and their coaches receive state awards and cash incentives for outstanding results at international competitions.

Preparation for the major international competitions of the upcoming Olympic cycle remains a key priority. Turkmen athletes are training in athletics, weightlifting, boxing, judo, swimming, para-powerlifting, and freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling.

Thus, Turkmenistan’s modern sports system is developing along several interrelated lines simultaneously. Mass participation and youth sport build up a pool of talent, specialised training ensures the development of skills, international competitions provide athletes with the necessary experience, whilst the personnel training system and state incentives create additional conditions for achieving high results.

It is precisely this combination of factors that enables Turkmenistan to steadily expand its presence on the international sporting stage and to nurture a new generation of athletes capable of representing the country at the major continental and world competitions.