The opening ceremony of an international hockey tournament took place on Monday at the Winter Sports Complex in Ashgabat.
According to Turkmenistan's official media, teams from ten European and Asian countries are participating in the international hockey tournament.
At the beginning of the event, participants of the international tournament were greeted with a welcome address from President Serdar Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan.
"I am firmly convinced that the upcoming competition, which is a significant event in the sporting life of the Motherland, will contribute to strengthening international cooperation in this field, fostering peace and friendship on the planet, popularizing and implementing the principles of the Olympic movement, and enhancing the skills and experience of hockey players," said the Head of State in a congratulatory message.
Following the official part of the ceremony, a musical and theatrical performance was held featuring cultural and artistic figures and athletes from sports schools.
The first domestic tournament for the President of Turkmenistan's Cup in hockey took place in 2012. The following year, these competitions gained international status. In 2015, another national hockey tournament was added to the country's sports calendar in honor of the Day of Turkmenistan's State Flag.