At the headquarters of the International Military Sports Council (CISM) in Brussels, a meeting was held between the ambassadors of Central Asian countries and the Secretary General of the organization, Navy Captain Roberto Reccia. During the meeting, issues related to the activities of CISM, its initiatives, and the participation of Central Asian countries in international sports events were discussed, according to a statement from the Turkmen diplomatic mission.

The Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Belgium emphasized that sports are an important priority for the country both in domestic and foreign policy. He noted: 'Sports for Turkmenistan is not only a key part of our national program but also an important factor in international relations. We actively support sports initiatives at all levels and are ready to offer Turkmenistan as a venue for major international competitions, considering our successful experience in hosting the Asian Games in 2017.'

The Secretary General of CISM provided detailed information about the organization's work and emphasized the importance of more active participation of Central Asian countries in sports competitions held worldwide. He also noted that CISM aims to involve as many countries as possible in its activities to develop military sports and strengthen international ties through sports initiatives.

'The Turkmen side expressed its readiness to further expand cooperation with the International Military Sports Council,' the statement said.

Note:

The International Military Sports Council (CISM) is an international organization founded in 1948 that unites military structures of different countries to promote peace and friendship through sports. CISM organizes sports events in which military personnel from more than 140 countries participate.

Turkmenistan became a member of CISM in 2018 and has since actively supported the development of military sports, striving to increase its participation in international competitions organized under the auspices of this organization.

The Turkmenistan Gymnastics Federation, together with international experts, is starting to develop a comprehensive plan for training athletes for the next Olympic cycle. This was announced by the Chairman of the Turkmenistan Gymnastics Federation, Dovran Chagylov, on the eve of his participation in the Congress of the International Gymnastics Federation, which will be held from October 22 to 24 in Doha, reports the newspaper "Neutral Turkmenistan."

The plan will cover the period from 2025 to 2028 and will include comprehensive training for national teams in sports, artistic gymnastics, and acrobatics. To implement it, the Asian Gymnastics Union (AGU) will send a group of highly qualified specialists to Turkmenistan to improve the skills of local coaches and judges.

The decision to expand cooperation was made after a recent visit to Ashgabat by the leaders of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) and the Asian Gymnastics Union in September this year. The subsequent discussion of interaction details took place at an AGU meeting in Shanghai.

Preparation for the implementation of the new plan has already begun: Turkmen gymnasts, under the guidance of the national team's head coach, Fiza Ayvazova, recently completed a three-week training camp in Tashkent, where they practiced new performance techniques and participated in friendly competitions.

The next major event on the Turkmen gymnastics calendar will be the national junior championship for athletes under 15 years old in November, where medals will be contested in sports and artistic gymnastics, as well as acrobatics.

The first stage of the Future Games Trophy's journey before the 2025 tournament, which will be hosted by the UAE, will pass through Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Qatar. This was reported by TASS, citing the head of the Future Games Igor Stolyarov.

"The first stage of the phygital trophy's journey will pass through countries that are part of the global phygital movement: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Qatar," Stolyarov said. "At each point along the route, sports, cultural, educational and entertainment events will be held at stops aimed at attracting a wide audience to the phygital format."

The first Future Games were held from February 21 to March 3 in Kazan. Their program included phygital disciplines that combine eSports and classical sports. 2,000 people from more than 100 countries took part in the competition. The second competition will be held in 2025 in the UAE. The third Future Games will be held in 2026 in Astana, Kazakhstan.

About 92 countries are involved in the phygital movement and the International Phygital Sports Federation, Stolyarov said at the international sports forum "Russia - a Sports Power", which is being held in Ufa from October 17 to 19.

The Ashgabat football club "Altyn Asyr" won a friendly match against the team "Al-Hamriya" with a score of 3:2 in Dubai (UAE). This game was part of the Turkmen team's preparation for the upcoming third round match of the AFC Champions League 2, reports FFT.

The players under the guidance of head coach Yazguly Hojageldiyev are in training camp in the United Arab Emirates, preparing for an important continental tournament match. Altyn Asyr's next game in the AFC Champions League 2 will take place on October 23 in Saudi Arabia. Their opponent will be the club "Al-Taawun" from the city of Buraidah.

The match will be held at the King Abdullah Sport City stadium and will start at 23:00 Ashgabat time.

After two rounds, Group B is led by the Iraqi team "Air Force" (6 points), followed by the Saudi team "Al-Taawun" (3 points) and the Bahraini team "Al-Hidd" (3 points), with the Turkmen team "Altyn Asyr" (0 points) at the bottom of the standings.
 

"Arkadag", having secured the Turkmenistan championship early in the last round, will face "Ahal" away in the rescheduled match of the 29th round of the Higher League. The game will take place on October 17 at the Nisa Stadium in Ashgabat. The match is scheduled to start at 16:00, reports FFT.

"Arkadag" confidently leads the standings, having scored 75 points in 25 matches and securing the title five rounds before the end of the season. Ahal, on the other hand, is in a tight battle for second place, having 52 points after 23 matches. "Altyn Asyr" has also scored 52 points, leading Ahal only by goal difference.

It is worth noting that "Shagadam" is in fourth place in the standings with 34 points, significantly trailing the leading trio.

The national volleyball team of Turkmenistan is preparing to participate in the championship of the Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA-2024), which will be held from October 18 to 24 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Teams from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and the Maldives will take part in the tournament.

The Turkmenistan U20 volleyball team recently won bronze medals at the CAVA Championship in Colombo (Sri Lanka).

Three football referees from Turkmenistan have been included in the list of officials who will oversee the matches of Group "A" in the AFC Challenge League. Resul Mammedov has been appointed as the main referee, while Palvan Palvanov and Ahmet Begnazarov will serve as assistants, according to the Football Federation of Turkmenistan.

The Group "A" matches will take place in Bhutan from October 23 to November 2. Four teams will participate in the tournament: "East Bengal" from India, Lebanon's "Nejmeh", "Bashundhara Kings" from Bangladesh, and the local club "Paro" from Bhutan.

In addition to the Turkmen specialists, referees from Bahrain, China, Jordan, and Thailand have been invited to officiate the matches of this group.

The Iranian national team defeated the Qatar team with a score of 4:1 in a home match of the 4th round of the World Cup qualifying tournament.

The winners' goals were scored by Serdar Azmoun (42nd and 48th minutes) and Mohammad Mohebi (65, 90+8). Almoez Ali (17) scored for the Qatari team.

In other matches of the game day, the Uzbekistan national team defeated the UAE team (1:0), and the Kyrgyzstan national team beat the DPRK (1:0).

The national teams of Iran and Uzbekistan continue to lead the group A standings, having scored 10 points each in 4 matches. The UAE and Qatar share 3rd and 4th places, with four points each, followed by the teams of Kyrgyzstan (3) and the DPRK (2).

In the next match, the Iranians will play the DPRK team on November 14, the Uzbekistan team will meet Qatar, and Kyrgyzstan will face the UAE team.

The 2026 World Cup will be held in Mexico, the United States, and Canada from June 11 to July 19. Six teams will directly advance to the finals from the Asian qualifying tournament.

On October 14, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov held a working meeting with the participation of Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers T. Atahalliyev, who oversees the agro-industrial complex, and the hakims of the velayats. The agenda included issues of implementing the National Rural Program and the progress of seasonal agricultural campaigns in the country.

The first to speak was the head of the administration of the Ahal velayat, S. Soltanmyradov, who reported on the state of affairs in the fields of the region.

As noted, necessary measures are currently being taken to increase the pace of cotton harvesting without losses, including the effective use of agricultural machinery, uninterrupted operation of reception points, and cotton processing enterprises.

In addition, wheat sowing continues in accordance with agrotechnical terms. Vegetative irrigation is carried out on the sown areas where uniform shoots have been obtained. Agricultural machinery and equipment are fully utilized.

Care is being taken for potato, vegetable, and other crop plantings, and the harvested crop is being collected.

In the livestock farms of the velayat, work is being carried out to arrange wintering places and prepare the necessary amount of feed for the winter period.

The hakim also reported on the state of construction of social and industrial facilities planned for commissioning this year as part of the National Rural Program.

After hearing the report, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized the importance of harvesting cotton without losses and sowing wheat according to agrotechnical terms, giving the hakim a number of specific instructions.

In addition, the head of state ordered to keep the construction of facilities planned for commissioning this year under control in accordance with the National Rural Program and ensure high-quality work.

Then the hakim of the Balkan velayat, H. Ashyrmyradov, reported on the state of affairs in the region.

As noted, efforts are currently being made to increase the pace of harvesting the grown cotton crop without losses, uninterrupted reception of raw materials, and their proper storage.

In addition, necessary measures are being taken to carry out wheat sowing at a high level and in agrotechnical terms, to fully utilize agricultural machinery and equipment, and to timely irrigate the sown areas.

In the velayat, the harvesting of potatoes, vegetables, and other agricultural crops continues.

In the livestock farms of the region, work is being carried out to prepare the necessary amount of feed and bring the wintering places for livestock into proper condition.

It was also reported on the pace of construction of various facilities planned for commissioning this year as part of the National Rural Program and the Program for the Socio-Economic Development of the Country for 2022–2028.

After hearing the report, the head of state noted the importance of seasonal field campaigns, as well as the proper conduct of wheat sowing in the region and the harvesting of cotton without losses, giving the hakim a number of instructions.

In addition, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov ordered to ensure high-quality construction of social and industrial facilities planned for commissioning this year as part of the National Rural Program.

Then the working meeting continued with the report of the hakim of the Dashoguz velayat, D. Babayev, on the progress of seasonal agricultural work.

As noted, necessary measures are being taken to harvest the grown cotton crop without losses. Special attention is paid to the full utilization of agricultural machinery.

In the velayat, wheat sowing continues, good shoots are appearing on the sown fields, and agricultural machinery and equipment are fully utilized.

It was also reported on the pace of construction of social, cultural, and industrial facilities planned for commissioning this year as part of the National Rural Program.

After hearing the report, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that the requirement of the day is the organized and timely conduct of seasonal agricultural work, and in this regard, gave the hakim a number of instructions.

The head of state also instructed the hakim to keep the quality and timing of the construction of various facilities planned for opening this year under control as part of the Program for the Socio-Economic Development of the Country.

Then the hakim of the Lebap velayat, M. Annanepesov, reported on the progress of work in the fields of the region.

As reported, guided by the tasks set by the President of the country to obtain rich harvests of agricultural crops, the cotton harvest continues without losses these days, and it is being delivered to the state granary. Necessary measures are being taken to ensure the uninterrupted operation of agricultural machinery, the delivery of the harvested raw materials to reception points, and cotton processing enterprises.

Wheat sowing is also being carried out, with agricultural machinery and equipment fully utilized. Vegetative irrigation is carried out on the sown fields in a timely manner.

In the region, care for winter potatoes, vegetables, and other crops, as well as the harvesting of the grown crop, continues in an organized manner.

In addition, efforts are being made in the velayat to harvest the rice crop in the shortest possible time and deliver it to the granaries of the Motherland.

Work is also being carried out to increase the livestock population and optimize the conditions for its maintenance.

Information was provided on the progress of construction of social, cultural, and industrial facilities being built as part of the Program for the Socio-Economic Development of the Country for 2022–2028 and the National Rural Program, planned for commissioning this year.

After hearing the report, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized the importance of the ongoing seasonal agricultural activities these days, instructing the hakim to carry out these works at a high organizational level and in agrotechnical terms.

The head of state ordered to pay special attention to the quality of construction of various facilities being built as part of the National Rural Program, planned for opening this year.

Then the hakim of the Mary velayat, B. Orazov, reported on the progress of seasonal field work.

As reported, the state provides farmers with all the opportunities and does everything necessary to complete the cotton harvesting campaign as soon as possible and without losses. Necessary measures are being taken at the relevant points and enterprises to ensure the uninterrupted reception and storage of raw materials.

At the same time, wheat sowing continues, efforts are being made to complete it according to the agrotechnical calendar, and vegetative irrigation is carried out on the sown areas to obtain uniform shoots.

In the fields where winter potatoes, vegetables, and other crops are ripening, care and harvesting of the ripe crop continue. Preparations are underway for the harvesting of sugar beets.

In the livestock farms, efforts are being made to increase the livestock population and the products obtained, to prepare feed, and to prepare wintering places.

The head of the regional administration informed about the pace of construction of facilities planned for opening this year according to the National Rural Program.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized the importance of the successful implementation of programs for the socio-economic development of the country and improving the living standards of the population. In this context, the hakim was instructed to keep the quality and timely execution of targeted work under control.

Then Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers T. Atahalliyev reported on the progress of seasonal activities in the agricultural sector of the country.

As reported, all efforts are being made today to complete the cotton harvest in optimal terms, ensure the uninterrupted reception of raw materials by the relevant points and enterprises, and the operation of agricultural machinery.

Special attention is also paid to measures for the full utilization of machinery and equipment during wheat sowing, which will allow the campaign to be completed in agrotechnical terms. Vegetative irrigation is carried out on the sown areas.

Guided by the instructions of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov to supply the domestic market with sufficient agricultural products, the harvesting of winter potatoes, vegetables, and fruits is being carried out. In the Dashoguz and Lebap velayats, the rice harvest continues, and in the Mary region, preparations are underway for the harvesting of sugar beets.

In the livestock farms, preparations for winter are underway: feed is being stocked, and corresponding work is being carried out.

After hearing the report, the head of state ordered to ensure a high level of organization of seasonal campaigns in the agricultural sector.

Addressing the participants of the working meeting, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov focused on the responsible agricultural season – the cotton harvest. It was instructed to take appropriate measures to increase the pace of the campaign to complete it optimally and on time, as well as to do everything necessary to ensure the full operation of combines and other machinery, reception points, and relevant enterprises. All this will allow the harvested crop, grown with great effort, to be collected without losses and successfully implement sectoral reforms.

Emphasizing the wheat sowing campaign, the head of state noted that obtaining a high yield, which will strengthen food security and the well-being of the population, largely depends on its timely and proper completion. In this context, it was instructed to keep the wheat sowing, moisture-charging, and vegetative irrigation in accordance with agrotechnical standards and terms under constant control, as well as the effective use of the technical arsenal.

The Turkmenistan national futsal team has been placed in the second basket ahead of the draw for the 2025 Women's Asian Cup qualification tournament. The draw will be held on October 17 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The qualifying tournament will feature 19 teams divided into pots based on the results of the 2018 Asian Cup. The qualifying matches will be held from January 11 to 19, with the nine teams that finished first and second in their groups, as well as the best third-placed team, advancing to the final round.

The final tournament will be held in China in May 2025, where the qualified teams will be joined by China, Iran and Japan. The top three teams from the final tournament will qualify for the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup in the Philippines in November-December 2025.

The composition of the pots before the draw:

Pot 1: Vietnam;
Pot 2: Taiwan, Hong Kong, Lebanon, Turkmenistan;
Pot 3: Bahrain, Macau;
Pot 4: Australia, India, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines;
Hosts' pot: Thailand, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Myanmar.

Legendary chess player Nigel Short, known for his 1993 World Championship match against Garry Kasparov, spent a week in Ashgabat, participating in several significant events from October 9 to 12. The highlight of his visit was the blitz tournament for the Turkmenistan Chess Federation Cup, held on October 10. Short, with a FIDE blitz rating of 2571, won the tournament, scoring 7.5 points out of 9 possible.

According to the press service of the TCF, the tournament also featured international grandmaster from Ashgabat Maksat Atabayev and candidate master Amanmuhammet Khommadov, who also scored 7.5 points but took second and third places respectively based on additional criteria. Atabayev drew with Short, while Khommadov even defeated the renowned grandmaster but lost points in other games.

The closing ceremony of the tournament was attended by the British Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Stephen Conlon, who personally awarded the gold medal to his compatriot. More than 300 chess players participated in the Turkmenistan Chess Federation Cup, and 45 winners in various categories received cups, medals, certificates, and cash prizes.

Foreign guests, including Nigel Short and the British Ambassador, were dressed in national Turkmen costumes and visited the chess museum at the Ashgabat Specialized Chess and Checkers School. A large chessboard with pieces, on which the guests played a game with the 'English Opening,' attracted special interest.

As part of his visit, Short also held a simultaneous exhibition with 10 young chess players, which lasted more than two hours and ended with his victory in all games. The young athletes gained valuable experience and a lot of positive emotions.

Additionally, at the request of the country's coaches and leading chess players, Short held a separate meeting to discuss the development of chess skills and coaching activities. He noted the high level of chess infrastructure in Ashgabat and the talent of young Turkmen chess players, expressing confidence in Turkmenistan's readiness to host international tournaments of the highest level.

On Saturday, at the 'Nisa' stadium in Ashgabat, the football club 'Arkadag' defeated the experimental squad of the Turkmenistan national team in a friendly match with a score of 2:0. The goals were scored by Resul Hodjaev in the 28th minute and Begench Akmammedov in the 82nd minute, despite the team playing with ten men from the 74th minute after Abdy Byashimov was sent off.

The head coach of the national team, Mergen Orazov, used this game to test the team's immediate reserves, not calling up the leaders for the match. Despite having a numerical advantage at the end of the game, the Turkmenistan national team could not change the course of the match. Moreover, in the 76th minute, 'Arkadag' goalkeeper Kakageldy Berdyev saved a penalty taken by Ilyas Charyev.

For the team from the 'smart' city, this match was an important preparation ahead of the upcoming group stage of the AFC Challenge League, which will be held in Kuwait. 'Arkadag' will face FC 'Maziya' on October 26, 'Abdysh-Ata' on October 29, and 'Al-Arabi' on November 1