The head coach of the Turkmenistan national football team, Mergen Orazov, arrived in Lisbon for an internship with the head coach of Portugal, Robert Martinez. As reported earlier, this opportunity was the result of cooperation between the FFT, AFC and UEFA.

Orazov will be present at the Portugal national team training camp, communicating with the coaching staff and observing the preparation for two matches. He has already met with Martinez and attended the team's training session.

Today, Portugal starts the UEFA Nations League with a match against Croatia in the first round. Orazov's internship will last in Lisbon until September 10, and he will also have time to attend the second round match of the Nations League, in which the Portuguese will host the Scotland team.

It is worth noting that 36-year-old Mergen Orazov will prepare the Turkmenistan national team for the 2027 Asian Cup qualifying matches. The opponents of the Turkmenistan national team in the qualifying tournament will be known based on the results of the draw, which will take place at the end of autumn this year, and the matches of the first stage of the qualification will be held in the spring of 2025.

Forward of the football club «Altyn Asyr» Rovshengeldi Halmammedov was awarded the title of the best player of the championship of Turkmenistan for August. This was reported by the official website of the Football Federation of Turkmenistan (FFT).

Halmammedov fully deserved this title, having scored five times in four matches played by his team last month. In the 19th round of the Premier League, he scored two goals against «Merv», and also scored a double in the first quarterfinal match of the Turkmenistan Cup against the same team, becoming the only player to score two goals in the 2024 Turkmenistan Cup.

Rovshengeldi scored his fifth goal in August against «Arkadag» in the 20th round of the Premier League. Thus, he scored half of his eight goals this season after the summer break, entering the top 5 most productive players of the season.

The announcement of the best football player of the month is one of the new initiatives of the Football Federation of Turkmenistan. This tradition will be continued at the end of each month. Rovshengeldi Halmammedov entered the history of Turkmen football as the first player to receive the title of «Best Footballer of the Month».

“Kitchee” played a 2-2 away draw with “North District” in the first round match of the Hong Kong Premier Soccer League.

Uzbek forward Sherzod Temirov (22nd minute) and Brazilian Juninho (70th) scored goals for “Kitchee”. Kendi (85th) and Chulapa (90th) scored for “North District”.

Turkmen midfielder of “Kitchee” Ruslan Mingazov came into the starting lineup, played a full match, but did not score.

On August 7, Ruslan Mingazov as a member of “Kitchee” took part in a friendly match against “Atletico” Madrid.

In the next round on September 14, “Kitchee” will host the “Southern District” at home.

Four Turkmen athletes advanced to the quarterfinal stage at the ASBC Junior & Schoolgirls & Schoolboys Boxing Championships in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi (UAE).

The competition gathered a total of 462 boxers from 26 countries, competing for medals in 13 weight categories among juniors born in 2008-2009 and 15 weight categories among schoolboys and schoolgirls born in 2010-2011.

Turkmenistan's team consists of 10 boxers, led by coaches Sapardurdy Bagyyev and Myrat Pazzyyev, with two competing in the younger age group and eight in the older group.

In the junior group, those who reached the quarterfinals are: Begench Kakamyradov (weight category up to 50 kg), Abdyrahman Rejepov (up to 63 kg), and Sapargeldi Nuryagdyev (up to 70 kg).

Begench beat Siva Chainarong (Thailand) – 3:2 by judge’s split decision in a tense 1/8 final match. Judges from Sri Lanka, the UAE and Kyrgyzstan awarded the victory to the Turkmen boxer with a minimal margin of 28:27, while judges from Tajikistan and Serbia gave the same score to the Thai athlete.

Commenting on this fight, the press service of the Asian Boxing Confederation noted that Turkmenistan's best junior boxer, Begench Kakamyradov, moved up two weight categories this year and was considered one of the favorites in the flyweight category up to 50 kg. The 16-year-old Turkmen performed better in the ring, gaining an advantage in the judges' notes within two minutes. At the beginning of the second round, Siva Chainarong changed his fighting rhythm. However, in the third round, Kakamyradov seized the initiative and "won this fantastic fight."

In the quarterfinals, Begench Kakamyradov will face Fan-Rui Shao from Taiwan.

Sapargeldi Nuryagdyev also performed brilliantly in his 1/8 final match, winning in the third round due to a clear advantage over Nahyan Al-Ghafri from the UAE.

"Nuryagdyev seemed to dance across the ring and enjoyed every moment of this fight, which became his brilliant debut in the green city of Al Ain", commented the press service of the Asian Boxing Confederation on the 16-year-old Turkmen boxer's victory.

Sapargeldi Nuryagdyev will face Usman Kaparov (Kyrgyzstan) in the next fight in the welterweight category up to 70 kg.

In another 63 kg quarterfinal match, Abdyrahman Rejepov will face Iranian boxer Ashkan Hashemi.

Quarterfinal winners will secure at least a bronze medal.

Unfortunately, the fourth Turkmen quarterfinalist, Ezbermuhammet Myratdurdyev, had to part with this dream, as he lost in the schoolboys' 58 kg weight category by a split decision to Akbarjon Abdulaev (Tajikistan) – 2:3. Notably, two judges from Thailand and Nepal awarded the victory to the Turkmen boxer with a significant point advantage – 30:27 and 30:26, respectively, while three judges from India, Tunisia and Iraq gave a minimal score advantage of 29:28 to the Tajik athlete.

During the ASBC Junior & Schoolgirls & Schoolboys Boxing Championships, the Asian Boxing Confederation (ASBC) Extraordinary Congress was held in Al Ain, attended by Durdymammet Kuljaev, Secretary General of the Turkmenistan Boxing Federation.

The congress addressed the issue of transitioning the organization under the aegis of World Boxing. In the debate, D. Kuljaev emphasized the unity of Asian boxing. After the discussions, out of 36 national federations present, 14 voted in favor of joining World Boxing, 21 against, and one delegate abstained. Thus, ASBC remained part of the International Boxing Association (IBA).

The press service of the Football Federation of Turkmenistan (FFT) announced refereeing appointments for the matches of the 22nd round of the Premier League of the 2024 season. The central game of the round between the teams "Arkadag" and "Ahal" will be officiated by a team of referees headed by Arslan Goshshanov from Tejen.

This meeting will be held at the Nisa stadium in Ashgabat and will begin at 17:30. At the same time, "Altyn Asyr" will play with "Nebitchi" at the "Sport Toplumy" stadium in the Byuzmeyin etrap of Ashgabat, and "Merv" will host "Ashgabat" on its home field in Mary. At 18:00, the match between "Shagadam" and "Kopetdag" will take place at the "Shagadam" stadium in Turkmenbashi.

Schedule of matches of the 22nd round of the Turkmenistan Premier League in football of the 2024 season:

September 4, Wednesday:

Arkadag - Ahal

• Venue: Nisa Stadium (Ashgabat)
• Start time: 17:30
• Chief referee: A. Goshanov (Tedjen)
• Assistant referees: E. Yazmuradov (Ashgabat), M. Allaberdiyev (Ashgabat)
• Reserve referee: D. Jumamyradov (Ashgabat)
• Match inspector: Ch. Kurbanov (Ashgabat)

Shagadam - Kopetdag

• Venue: Shagadam Stadium (Turkmenbashi)
• Start time: 18:00
• Chief referee: P. Palvanov ( Dashoguz)
• Assistant referees: N. Garajayev (Ashgabat), A. Jumaev (Mary)
• Reserve referee: A. Annamuradov (Balkanabat)
• Match inspector: B. Allaberdyev (Ashgabat)

“Merv” - “Ashgabat”

• Venue: Sports complex (Mary)
• Start time: 17:30
• Chief referee: B. Haknazarov (Ashgabat)
• Assistant referees: E. Annamuradov (Balkanabad), A. Veliyev (Anew)
• Reserve referee: V. Baluyans (Turkmenabat)
• Match inspector: R. Japarov (Ashgabat)

“Altyn Asyr” - “Nebitchi”

• Venue: Sports complex (Ashgabat) Ashgabat, Buzmeyin etrap)
• Start time: 17:30
• Chief referee: A. Sapaev (Dashoguz)
• Assistant referees: A. Begnazarov (Mary), M. Nurberdyev (Ashgabat)
• Reserve referee: H. Gurbanov (Ashgabat)
• Match inspector: R. Palvanov (Dashoguz)

According to the results of the Turkmenistan Women's Football Championship, the winners of individual awards in various nominations were determined, the FFT reports.

The title of the best scorer was received by Mariya Chariyeva, representing the national team of Turkmenistan and FC "Altyn Tach" from Ashgabat.

Shaperi Durdiyeva from FC "Balkan" was recognized as the best striker of the championship. The best defender of the tournament was Halida Eshniyazova, representing FC "Olimp" from Mary.

The award for the best goalkeeper was received by Elnura Maksutova from FC "Miras" (Turkmenabat).

Recall that the championship title was won by the "Olimp" team from Mary velayat. Second place was taken by the "Altyn Tach" team from Ashgabat, and third place by "Miras" from Lebap velayat. The Balkan and Ashgabat teams shared fourth and fifth places, respectively.

The Turkmenistan National Futsal Team will hold a training camp in Dubai (UAE) from September 3 to 13 under the leadership of head coach Yakub Ovezov. Within the framework of the training camp, the team will play three friendly matches: on September 5 against the Saudi Arabian team, on September 7 against the French team, and on September 9 against one of the local teams.

According to the FFT press service, the head coach called up 18 players, including three goalkeepers, to prepare for the training camp. The Turkmenistan national team is preparing for important matches that will help the team improve its skills and prepare for future competitions.

The composition of the Turkmenistan national futsal team at the training camp in the UAE:

Goalkeepers:

Rehimberdi Halmamedov, Shohrat Bayramov (both “Denizchi”), Meredgeldi Bayramov (“Kopetdag”);

Field players:

Gylychmurad Gylychmuradov, Kirill Charyev, Davutguly Durliyev, Maksat Soltanov, Shiri Bayramdurdyev, Maksat Amanov, Daniil Panchenko (all - “Denizchi”);

Mulkaman Annagulyev, Abdyla Nursahedov, Gurbangeldy Sahedov, Kerven Annaorazov (all – “Kopetdag”);

Rovshen Orazmuhammedov, Rahatmurad Nepesov, Berdyguly Meredov, Shamuhammet Babayev (all – “Senagatbank”).

Coaching staff:

Yakub Ovezov (head coach), Amandurdy Annadurdyev (coach), Maksat Muradov (coach).

From the 4th round of the current Turkmenistan Football Championship, Kristina Berseneva will work as the first female referee in the history of Turkmen football. According to the FFT press service, Kristina will begin to perform the functions of a reserve referee at matches of the Higher League and the Turkmenistan Cup. Berseneva has already taken the first steps in this direction, acting as an assistant to reserve referee Mergen Allaberdiyev at the match of the 21st round of the Turkmenistan Championship between "Ahal" and "Merv" (2:0).

Kristina Berseneva, who previously played for the national football and futsal teams of Turkmenistan, began her refereeing career just two years ago. After successfully passing exams and gaining experience as an assistant referee, she will now be officially involved as a referee at the country's largest tournaments. Her journey in football began at the age of 14 in the Mary velayat under the leadership of Murad Bayramov, and her return to the sport in 2018 was made possible thanks to the efforts of Kamil Mingazov, head coach of the women's national team of Turkmenistan.

In international practice, female referees have already achieved significant achievements: for example, in Germany, Bibiana Steinhaus refereed Bundesliga matches from 2017 to 2020, and at the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, for the first time in the history of the men's World Cup, an exclusively female team of referees worked. FIFA actively supports the participation of women in refereeing men's matches, and the appointment of Kristina Berseneva to key matches in Turkmenistan is another step towards inclusiveness and equality in sports refereeing.

Five medals – 1 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze – were won by Turkmen kickboxers at the World Youth Championship (WAKO) in Budapest.

The competition brought together more than 3,100 athletes from 69 countries. The Turkmenistan team was represented by 17 athletes, five of whom successfully performed in the kick-light sections using well-controlled technique and «full-contact with low kick», where it is allowed to strike the lower part of the body (thigh or shin).

Jasurbeg Ahmedov won the gold medal in our team. In the «kick-light» section of the up to 37 kg weight category, he won four victories and rose to the top step of the podium.

Serdar Bekenov, having fought three fights in the up to 51 kg weight category, was awarded a silver medal. The bronze medalists were Imamguly Rejepov, Salamathan Baltayev and Nepes Bashimov.

Two Turkmen athletes, Ilima Guseynova and Sulgun Ishangulyeva, received personal invitations to the prestigious junior tournament "Grand Slam Tennis. Regional Championship 14 & Under," which will take place from September 7 to 14 in Cambodia with the participation of the 24 best tennis players from Asia under 14 years old.

The competition will feature 10 finalists from five Grade A Asian tournaments, 11 top-ranked players under 14 according to the official Asian rankings, and 3 wild card holders. One wild card was given to the host country, while the other two were distributed by the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) among talented players from across Asia. It is very gratifying that one of these wild cards went to our young athlete, Sulgun Ishangulyeva, as a promising tennis player.

Sulgun, who will turn 11 on October 1, caught the attention of specialists at the age of 9 when she won an international tournament among children under 10 in Izmir, Turkey. Last year, she achieved the same success at the "Türkiye Autumn Cup" in Istanbul. This year, she became a silver medalist in doubles with Valeria Litvin from Ukraine at the tournament for children under 12 in Baku, dedicated to the memory of Heydar Aliyev.

Ilima Guseynova, Turkmenistan's top player, received an invitation to the "Grand Slam Tennis. Regional Championship 14 & Under," taking the 2nd place in the Asian rankings for players under 14. Her record includes many international tournament awards. This year alone, Ilima won four medals of various merits at three competitions abroad. At the "Asian 14 & Under Grade A" in Hyderabad, India, she won bronze in singles and gold in doubles with Indian athlete Karthika Padmakumar. She won silver in singles at another similar tournament in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, and this month, she took second place in doubles with Hana Shabanpour from Iran at the "Selangor Asian 14 & Under Grade A (Southeast Asia)" in Malaysia.

The "Grand Slam Tennis. Regional Championship 14 & Under" is a qualifying competition. The results will determine the lucky ticket holders for the Junior Australian Open 2025, the international team tournament in Florida 2024, and the European tour for a series of tournaments.

In addition, participants in the Cambodia tournament can significantly improve their rankings and earn a decent income with successful performances. Winners among boys and girls will receive 1,500 ranking points and 3,000 US dollars, second-place finishers will receive 1,250 ranking points and 1,500 US dollars, while bronze medalists will receive only 1,000 points towards their ranking.

During the "Grand Slam Tennis. Regional Championship 14 & Under" in Cambodia, a meeting of the Asian Tennis Federation representatives will take place, attended by Mirali Gasanov, 32-year-old head coach of the Turkmenistan national team. In December last year, at the annual TFT conference, he was elected deputy chairman of the Tennis Federation of Turkmenistan, and in May this year, at the ATF board meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan, he joined the ATF committee for the development of junior tennis in Asia.

A match of the 21st round of the Turkmenistan Football Championship between "Ashgabat" and "Kopetdag" took place at the capital's "Nisa" stadium.

This was the third capital derby for these teams. In the first round-robin stage, the opponents failed to score against each other, resulting in a 0:0 draw. In the second round-robin stage, "Ashgabat" achieved an away victory with a score of 2:0.

Before the start of the third round-robin stage, both clubs changed their head coaches. "Ashgabat" is led by former "Kopetdag" coach Tofik Shukurov, while the Turkmenistan Ministry of Internal Affairs team is led by Begench Garaev. This added interest to the duel between the coaches who had recently worked together. The upcoming match was also expected to reveal what surprises the current "Ashgabat" coach had prepared for his former team.

The first half did not bring success to either side. In the 65th minute, the hosts organized a good attack, which resulted in a goal by Yenish Seidiev. The winning score for "Ashgabat" lasted until the 88th minute. However, two minutes before the end of regular time, "Kopetdag" was awarded a penalty, which was converted by Shiri Annaev.

As a result, the match ended in a 1:1 draw, with both teams earning a point. After this game, "Ashgabat" holds 6th place with 17 points, while "Kopetdag" is in 8th place with 14 points.

The 21st round of the Turkmenistan Football Championship will continue with the matches: "Ahal" - "Merv" and "Altyn Asyr" - "Shagadam".

The footballers of "Ahal" won against Mary’s "Merv" 2-0 in the 21st round of the Turkmenistan Higher League Championship. The game took place in Ashgabat at the "Nisa" stadium.

The victory for Velsakhet Ovezov's team was secured by Dayanch Meredov’s goal in the 15th minute and an own goal by Shazada Byashimov in the 46th minute.

"Ahal" has now beaten "Merv" three times this season. In the first round, the team of the Turkmennebitonumleri Main Directorate achieved a narrow away victory of 1-0, and in the second round at home, they defeated Merv with a decisive 5-1 score.

After the 2-0 victory over "Merv," "Ahal" accumulated 43 points, moving to a clear second place. "Altyn Asyr" has 40 points, but they have a home match against Turkmenbashi’s "Shagadam" to conclude the 21st round of the Turkmenistan Football Championship.

In previous matches of this round, "Arkadag" won against Balkanabat’s "Nebitchi" 5-1, "Ashgabat" and "Kopetdag" drew 1-1 in the capital derby.