Official ceremony of the closing of V Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games took place in Turkmen capital with participation of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.Conducting the events of such level and scale is a huge responsibility, however, Ashgabat deservingly managed it, having outstandingly accomplished the mission of peace-maker city, the centre of the dialog of cultures and nations.
The whole country has been preparing thoroughly for this remarkable event in modern history and came out very good!Our Asian Games sounded like victorious salute proclaiming the triumph of goodwill for the glory of Turkmenistan, which is spoken of with enthusiasm on dozens of world languages, and for the sake of better future of entire planet!
Thousands of spectators, guests and participants of sport festival have gathered in the evening at the Olympic stadium.More than 1.5 thousand reporters and observers from 82 countries were highlighting V Asian Games in media, speaking not only of the results of sport competitions but od Turkmenistan as well and its beautiful capital, sharing the admiration and opening new outlook at our hospitable and generous country to the world.
According to common opinion of the journalists, sportsmen, leaders of the delegations, numerous honourable guests, Ashgabat has deserved the right to host not only the Asian but Olympic Games.
There are all conditions for this that meet the requirements of such level including super modern sport infrastructure.Ten days ago, the arena of the Olympic stadium became a large scent for the show where the history of our country and Turkmen nation have joined the modernity and everlasting spiritual values and humane ideals that lay in the basis of internal and foreign policy of independent neutral state were clearly highlighted.
These are the Peace, Prosperity and Progress.Giving start to the Games, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted that the sports is to be important component of international cooperation in the modern world making considerable contribution to the formation of atmosphere of trust and understanding.
Sportsmen are the ambassadors of peace.They assert high principles of the Olympic movement by their skills and knowledge in fair competition, serve as example to the youth in formation of active creative life position, friendly respectful attitude toward other nations, the Head of the State noted speaking at the opening ceremony of the Games.
We would do everything possible to conduct V Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat in 2017 on the highest level and put maximum efforts for the participants of this Games to feel hospitality and cordiality of our people on Turkmen land, - the Leader of the Nation said back then.
These words were entirely implemented our capital turned into the centre of large festival.Current event does not put an end but make a summary that opens new prospects of cooperation. … Ceremonial march of national teams of Asian Games started on the field of the stadium.
As is known, the competitions have brought together around 6 thousand representatives of 64 countries of Asia, Oceania and refugee team, which took part in the Asian Games for the first time.
The adoption of the Declaration on Encouragement of Valuable Contribution of the Olympic Refugee Teams in Consolidation of Peace and Human Rights adopted at the recent session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva by the initiative of Turkmenistan is another success of Ashgabat 2017 Games.
Throughout eleven days all sportsmen have been contesting for the medals, nevertheless, despite high competition and interesting rivalry that gave plenty of emotions to the fans, the strive for open and trustful communication, friendship and mutual understanding was uniting principle of the Games.
Turkmen team has broken through to the leaders of the competitions from the first days and never went down from the first position of tournament table, having consolidated firmly the first total count position.
Totally, Turkmen sportsmen won 245 medals including 89 gold, 70 silver and 86 bronze ones!The master of the ceremony announced about the arrival of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of the Olympic Council of Asia Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah.
The participants warmly welcomed Turkmen Leader and the Head of the OCA who came to special tribune.The floor was given to the Leader of the OCA. “Ashgabat 2017 Games have come to an end but we would never forget wonderful time spent here”, - Sheikh Ahmad Al Fatah Al Sabah has said.
He spoke with sincere admiration of the beauty of Turkmen capital and its world-class sports facilities and hospitality of Turkmen people.The Games had a great success and all of these is owing to foreseeing and attention of His Excellency the President of Turkmenistan, high-rank guest highlighted, having expressed the confidence that Ashgabat would be capable to organize even large competitions. - We were the witnesses of wonderful Games and we would leave with the best memories, - the Sheikh has continued.
Speaking to the sportsmen, he noted that each of them represented his country and the State Flag with high proud and honour.They have attracted the attention of numerous spectators by their competitions, having written new page in the history of the Asian Games as it was the first time in the history of the OCA when the sportsmen from Oceania and refugee team were participating in this Games.
This is their another input to modern world sports.Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah expressed Turkmen athletes who demonstrated high level of skills and won large number of gold medals. “You made your fans happy and rendered warm hospitality to the sportsmen from other countries”, - he said.
The words of gratitude were also addressed to the sponsors of the Games and mass media personnel for support and attention.The press from all overt he world has come to Ashgabat and comprehensively presented Turkmen capital to huge international auditorium in their new and TV broadcasting, the high-rank guest highlighted.
The Head of the OCA expressed special gratitude to the volunteers. “You have made a lot of people happy by your smiles.You have continued the traditions of hospitality inherited from your ancestors from the time of the Great Silk Road, which is already 200 years old”, - the President of the Olympic Council of Asia noted, having added that historical phenomenon of this Road as linking the countries and nations together might revive in modern Ashgabat.
Ashgabat 2017 Games will be remembered as wonderful journey across your country and capital, Sheikh Al Sabah said speaking to Turkmenistan citizens and Turkmen leader: “Kindly accept my congratulations on the best Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games that was ever took place!
Today, the Games have finished but our friendship and cooperation have not.Ashgabat, we will see you soon as we love you!” On behalf of the Olympic Council of Asia, the Head of this organizations expressed deep gratitude to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, all Turkmen people and organizers of the Games.
After, the floor was given to the President of Turkmenistan.Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov congratulated cordially all sportsmen and coaches on successful performance at the Games and wished them new success and bright sport victories.
The Head of the State announced Ashgabat 2017 Games closed.The march of the Olympic Council of Asia was played under its sounds the Flag of the OCA was ceremonially lowered and taken away from the stadium.
Sad moment of extinguishing the Torch of the Games that was burning in the bowl above giant sculpture of the horse for all ten days.The seconds of time countdown unanimously carried on by the visitors stands flew fast.
People at the stadium felt warm wind that blew from the Kopetdag foothills.Soft wind of golden Turkmen autumn was blowing above the torch of dying flame and white smoke of burning yuzarlyk in the centre of the hearth that in our national tradition means good wishes.
Light trickle of smoke run across the arena and went up vanishing in the sky… Final performance starts on the arena of the stadium.The sphere appears from the darkness in the centre of the field with musicians playing tuyduk around it.
The group of people with large drums that shines with gold as a sun disk moves across the field.They encircle the sphere and national music in modern arrangement is played.
Shortly, the field is being filled with plenty of people and something mysterious starts occurring inside the sphere… Laser silhouettes of horses increasing their galloping appear from mysteriously glowing tangle inside the sphere.
The shadows of the horses as if running after the clouds start rushing across the field of the stadium.It feels like the horses accelerate the planet making it spins… This is how people’s saying “The Earth is mobbing under the hives of the horse” were visually embodied.
The field turns into either chessboard or volleyball ground, tennis court, dance floor or ring, racing track or bowling line by light projection.The artists demonstrate the elements of different sports included to the programme of Ashgabat 2017 Games presenting them to the spectators not only as physical exercises for endurance, power and speed but also like real art.
The art of transformation of human and human relations.Dynamic light picture accompanying the dance filled with sharp acrobatic moves transferred strong sport energy and its exact geometric compositions - the discipline, commitment and will.
Cycling racers show has also impressed the spectators.Its directors devised and made an interesting effect that used the combination of rhythmic music, light, colour and rotating neon wheels with spokes.
This bright and cheerful march became an original embodiment that cycling becomes more popular in our country.After, video capture of the famous historical and cultural monuments of Turkmenistan, original national heritage was demonstrated on the screen.
One could see the sample of traditional dress of Turkmens with handmade embroidery and jewelleries by our zergers.There were horses and falcons, Turkmen nature and its fauna, spring meadows and the fruits of generous of our Motherland.
The narration slowly transferred to the modernity.Large new constructions of our country, its economic power, potential of strategic branches like industrial, agricultural, textile, oil and gas, electrical energy, transport and other have been demonstrated in expressive captures.
Video excursion was ended up by the views of the capital with its magnificent palace complexes, parks buried in trees and shrubs, excellent roads, high-rise buildings and unique Olympic village.
However, Ashgabat is especially beautiful in the evening light the city looks like a diamond placer.This video about the achievements of Turkmenistan is replaced by the captures presenting the best and brightest moments of passed competitions.
Round panoramic screen filling everything around with the light is lowered down to the centre of the stadium.Stylistic images of the nature, grass moving with the wind and flowers turning in blossom are projected on it and on arena. 500 girls with large cotton boll come out to the field.
The artists make giant burst flower, according to the authors’ idea, the cotton turned into thick cumulus clouds that went up the sky.The wind started to blow and the sound of the first raindrops was heard.
Air acrobats who appeared from the clods on wire ropes imitated first raindrops.This poetry scene conveyed eternal cycle of the nature when the land is brought to life filled with spring rain and sharing its generous gifts with people.
The girls in the images of bright flowers perform lyrical dance symbolizing the prosperity of Turkmen land.The clouds have parted and large air balloon decorated with the pictures of the talisman of Ashgabat 2017 Games rises to the sky.
There are people in the basket who watch how native land is changing.In the next, the marine part of the performance, blue light fills the stadium and melody of waves sounds.
The girl rides one of the waves and her tender song is accompanied by caressing surf running onto sandy beach.Around two hundred performers make slow wave run by synchronized movements.
Windsurfers appear on the stadium turned into sea surface by light projection.there are sailboats with people singing joyful songs.This is Avaza our resort pearl… The picture changes in colour and music lyrical tune is replaced by the rhyme of kushtdepdi.
Glowing cylinder in the centre of the field is lifted up revealing “ak oy” (white house) white yurt, the symbol of home hearth.The Turkmens associate it with traditions of hospitality.
Flaming dance of jigits expands around the yurt decorated with national ornaments.They cast the shadows on the yurt, which shortly appears in its traditional look.Bright beams go around across the field from it.
The girls enter the field and the dance starts.Its tempo increases uniting people in common impulse.It is not occasionally that ancient dance kushtdepdi symbolize nation’s unity it conceals large power of the nation’s spirit.
After, the arena is turned into Turkmen carpet with typical rich and expressive ornaments.The screen in the centre is lowered down again and displays the image of Vepaly the alabay the symbol of Ashgabat Games.
It is time to say goodbye to friendly character that all this time inspired the sportsmen for the victory and pleased the spectators, always met the guests with the smile making joyful and happy atmosphere.
He waves the flags on the background of national symbols of the countries participating in the Games flying behind his back as if saying :”Goodbye!Happy journey!See you, my Friends!” The master of ceremony expresses the gratitude on behalf of the compatriots and sportsmen to President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for his care of high level organization of V Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games.
Official part of the closing ceremony of Ashgabat 2017 Games finishes on this moment.The celebration is continued by large concert of local and foreign pop celebrities at the Olympic stadium.
The concert was opened by the Song of Friendship.Folk and dance bands, children ensembles of our country have also took part in the concert.The band from Uzbekistan “Farhod and Shirin”, Russian pop singer Nyusha, Lebanon singer Elissa, famous Turkish singer Mustafa Sandal, British singer and musician John Newman were among foreign artists participating in celebrating programme.
At the end of the concert, the participants of events sang the anthem of Ashgabat 2017 Games.The bursts of fireworks sounded right after music final above the Olympic stadium in Ashgabat.
Light show lasted for seven minutes turning evening sky into cascade of flaming fountains of multi-coloured fire.During the visit to the Olympic stadium, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov had meetings with President of the Olympic Council of Asia Sheikh Ahmad Al Fatah Al Sabah and President of National Olympic Committees of Oceania Robin Mitchell.
Ashgabat 2017 Games became the history.They are written with golden letters to the chronicle of the country.Their significance for Turkmenistan, Asia and the planet is still to be appreciated in full measures.
The success of Ashgabat 2017 Games has proven that Turkmen model of internal development and foreign policy developed by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov is not only efficient but also is a sample of optimum balance of national interests and priorities of global sustainable development.
Yet, the Games were the grandiose celebration that gave an ocean of unforgettable impressions, bright emotions, joy to us and that multiplied our pride for the country!