The opening ceremony of the XII Universiade ‘Turkmenistan – the Home of Health and Inspiration’ was held at Turkmen State Institute of Physical Education and Sports. Performances by the Institute's music group and young athletes added the festive atmosphere to the event.

Protection of the health of people and education of the physically and mentally healthy generations are the priorities of the state policy in independent, permanently neutral Turkmenistan. Impressive work is underway to develop mass physical education, health and sports, and to strengthen the human health in the revival of the new epoch of the powerful state this year, which is being held under the motto ‘the Era of the People with Arkadag’. The personal examples of our Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov in physical training and sports inspire the Turkmen people, especially the younger generations, to do sports and to follow the principles of a healthy lifestyle.

The students of the national institutions of higher education compete in different sports events, which are traditionally organized by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Policy and the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan. The captivating events contribute to revealing the abilities of athletes, improving their skills, and preparing them for future competitions.

The first events of the XII Universiade ‘Turkmenistan – the Home of Health and Inspiration’ took place before the opening ceremony and brought the first results. The students of the national institutions of higher education competed in the Universiade.

They demonstrated their skills in swimming, athletics, volleyball, tennis, table tennis, chess, 3x3 basketball, sambo wrestling, kurash wrestling, Greco-Roman wrestling, football, billiards, judo wrestling, national wrestling, futsal, basketball, badminton, freestyle wrestling, handball, cycling and boxing.

It has become a noble tradition in our country to hold the Universiade ‘Turkmenistan – the Home of Health and Inspiration’ for the students of the institutions of higher education and for the representatives of secondary and primary vocational schools, and secondary schools. This fact demonstrates the great concern for the human health, sports and physical education in Turkmenistan.

Thanks to the concern of our Hero-Arkadag, the physical culture and health movement receive wholehearted support of the Turkmen people. The successful implementation of the state programmes contributes to the development of mass physical education, the Olympic movement and high-level sports in our country owing to the concern of the President of Turkmenistan.