Turkmen athletes took part in the opening ceremony of the 3rd CIS Games, which took place on the 28th of September at the central city stadium in Ganja, Azerbaijan, The Golden age electronic newspaper reports.

Holding biennially, these multi-sport competitions serve as a platform for strengthening sporting ties between the Commonwealth countries – Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The first CIS Games were held in 2021 in Kazan, Russia, and the second in 2023 in 11 cities in Belarus.

This year, the CIS Games significantly expanded the geography of their participants: athletes from Cuba, Kuwait, Pakistan, Oman, and Türkiye joined the competition. A total of 1,624 athletes under 23 years of age from 13 countries have entered the Games, competing for 246 medal events in 23 sports until 8th of October.

Turkmenistan's sports delegation consists of 56 people, including 36 athletes competing in 3x3 basketball, boxing, wrestling (Freestyle and Greco-Roman), karate, swimming, shooting, and taekwondo.

The 3rd CIS Games are taking place at 12 sports venues in seven cities of Azerbaijan: Ganja, Yevlakh, Mingachevir, Gabala, Sheki, Goygol, and Khankendi.

The opening ceremony was attended by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who gave the Games their official start.

Delegations from each participating country also paraded through the stadium. Taekwondo athlete Azym Maksadov carried the flag of Turkmenistan to a standing ovation from the stands.

The Turkmenistan team's participation in the CIS Games is an important step in the development of Turkmen sport and a confirmation of the country's commitment to international sports cooperation.