A large-scale football celebration, the AFC Grassroots Football Day 2025, was held at the "Merv" stadium in Mary. The event was timed to coincide with the declaration of May 25th as World Football Day. It was organized by the Football Federation of Turkmenistan in collaboration with the football club "Merv" with the aim of popularizing football, especially among the younger generation.

Since 2013, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), of which Turkmenistan is a member, has been conducting similar initiatives to attract as many children as possible to football across Asia.

More than 250 young footballers participated in the festival. The program included a series of game-based tasks to practice basic technical elements: relay races, shots on goal, ball juggling, and mini-matches. The field was divided into several stations where the children, under the guidance of coaches, performed various exercises.

At the conclusion of the celebration, all participants received commemorative gifts. The festival left the children with vivid impressions and motivation to develop in their favorite sport. This event once again confirmed that football in Turkmenistan continues to actively develop, encompassing an increasing number of young talents.

ORIENT