Ashgabat, February 1 | ORIENT. The capital of Turkmenistan is entering the final stretch of preparations for one of the most prestigious football events of the year. National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty (People's Council), Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, visited the Olympic Village to personally inspect the readiness of the country's main arena for the 1/8 finals of the Second AFC Champions League.
The upcoming match between Turkmen club Arkadag and Saudi Arabia's Al-Nasr is not just a game, but a serious test for domestic football. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that with 10 days left until the match, every detail—from the condition of the pitch to fan comfort—must meet international standards.
The Olympic Stadium, with a capacity of 45,000 spectators, is considered the largest in Central Asia. To maintain the playing field in pristine condition, special protective surfaces are used during the off-season. An inspection confirmed that the arena is fully prepared to host international teams and broadcast on international media platforms.
An interesting twist: the Alabai dog has been chosen as the symbol of the upcoming tournament. This image already brought good luck to Turkmenistan during its triumphant 2017 Asian Games. The return of this iconic symbol is intended to inspire the team and unite the stands.
The National Leader expressed confidence in the skill of the Turkmen football players, despite the status of their opponents. He noted that any outcome of the match—whether a historic victory, a draw, or even a fair loss—will be a celebration of sport for the country and an important step in strengthening Turkmenistan's international prestige.
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed confidence that the football players will demonstrate fair and beautiful play, which will inspire new achievements.
