Vahdat Sultan-zade: Games “Ashgabat 2017” emphasize the democratic essence of the sports movement
Vahdat Sultan-zade, the veteran of the Azerbaijani diplomacy, the former ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Turkmenistan, who was invited as an honorary guest at the opening ceremony of the 5th Asian Games “Ashgabat 2017”, assessed the wise and forward-looking approach of the President Berdimuhamedov to give the international sporting event a peacekeeping character. “Long period of work in Turkmenistan has greatly enriched my professional and life experience, I was heartily attached to your country, to the Turkmen people,” Vahdat Mamedovich shared. “And I wholeheartedly share the feeling of joy of the Turkmen people that Ashgabat was honored to host the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games.” “The capital of Turkmenistan is a beautiful city! The Games will help the whole world to know more about it, to rediscover your country, where the cultural and historical heritage is inextricably connected with the present moment, and innovation has historical roots. In May this year, Islamic Solidarity Games were held at high level in the Azerbaijani capital Baku, where tolerance and hospitality of the Azerbaijani people were presenting to the world. I am convinced that the Asian Games in Ashgabat will open for the world community a new image of Turkmenistan with its talented people, unique culture and powerful economic potential. The atmosphere of universal enthusiasm and fraternity, which is felt here by all participants of the sport holiday, is the embodiment of the peacemaking spirit of the Olympic movement. Ashgabat united athletes representing the countries of Asia and Oceania, as well as a team of refugees, regardless of their confessional, ethnic and racial background. Games emphasize the general democratic essence of the sports movement, the triumph of international cooperation, mutual understanding and friendship. The great opening ceremony of the 5th Asian Games made an indelible impression on me. It has become a reflection of the cultural and mental values of the Turkmen people, its history, respect for its traditions and confidence in the future. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Turkmen Leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on the adoption by the UN Human Rights Council of the Declaration, launched by him in support of the Olympic teams of refugees and their contribution to the consolidation of peace and the protection of human rights.
