In the new historical epoch, one of the state policy priorities, initiated by Hero-Arkadag and now successfully implemented under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, is to promote the sports movement in the country. So that the younger generation of Turkmenistan will grow up healthy, strong and energetic, refrain from bad habits and engage in sports and physical activity, the Sports Games and University Games under the motto “Turkmenistan is the Country of Spirituality and Health” have been held on a regular basis in our country for many years. The teaching staff of higher educational institutions, students of secondary and primary vocational educational institutions and schoolchildren participate in these large-scale sports tournaments.

  Young people take part in these competitions with great enthusiasm and gain useful experience for future sporting events. Annually, these tournaments are organised by the State Committee for Physical Culture and Sports of Turkmenistan together with the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan.  Each year, sporting, cultural, health and wellbeing events are conducted in our country to mark World Health Day, which is observed on April 7.

  The programme of these events includes the finals of the National Sports Games and University Games. Students and children from secondary and secondary specialised schools always actively participate in sporting events and show good results.  Sports   tournaments, which will take place in all cities and villages, etraps, velayat centres and Ashgabat, are aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle, popularising physical activity, supporting the sports movement and strengthening international cooperation in this sphere.

Shadurdy GOVSHAKOV,
Chairman, Balkanabat City Council, Magtymguly Youth Organization of Turkmenistan