On April 6, the Turkmen capital hosted a ceremony of opening new sports facilities – the “Bagtyyarlyk” Sports Complex and a tennis court at the “Ashgabat” Stadium with participation of President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov. Dressed in a tracksuit, the head of state proceeded to the central entrance and cut a symbolic ribbon to the applause of the ceremony attendees, launching the “Bagtyyarlyk” Sports Complex. The new, multifunctional sports facility (with an area of more than 38,000 square meters) is located at the intersection of Azadi and Hydyr Deryaev Streets. It was constructed by the individual enterprise –“Belent Jay” against the order of the capital’s khyakimlik. The complex accommodates an aquatic section with swimming-pools, including the one for children, as well as two aquaparks, a football field, tennis courts, gymnastics and boxing halls, a billiard-room, a hall for playing volleyball, basketball and handball, two fitness rooms, an open-air sports ground for team ball games. The complex also includes cozy cafés, where one can enjoy tasty and healthy meals, relax after intensive training sessions. During the get-acquainted excursion, the head of state made a stopover at a volleyball and basketball ground, where teams of players had already gathered to hold the first friendly match in the new sports complex. The nation’s leader showed keen interest in equipment of the ground. At the sportsmen’s request the President of Turkmenistan gave a symbolic start to the match, having served the first ball to the applause of the people assembled. The game continued briskly. After it, at the request of the sportsmen, the head of state signed the ball, which would be a notable exhibit of the “Bagtyyarlyk” Sports Complex. Then, the nation’s leader visited the water sports center, having become acquainted with the premises for swimming and other water sports. The head of state examined a large pool with lanes for high-speed swimming races, having asked the swimmers and their coach to give their opinion on the center’s functionality. Having congratulated the sportsmen on opening the wonderful building, the leader of nation stressed great significance of the facility for the development of sport movement among the younger generation. The center also boasts a children’s department, decorated with colorful water slides and figures of animals. It has everything necessary for little children to play in the water to their heart’s content, having fun and developing a habit of active leisure activities, beneficial for their health. Then, the head of state proceeded to the building, which houses a multi-purpose gym for team games. The game started and from the very beginning captured attention of the spectators with its dynamism. Complicated shots going in the basket made the game more spectacular. The opposing teams kept on attacking each other, their accurate passing and well-aimed shots were accompanied by cheers and applause of the guests. Breathtaking games were taking place on the football field, tennis court and other grounds of the new “Bagtyyarlyk” Sports Complex. Representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited to our country were among the most emotional fans. Later, speaking to the President of Turkmenistan, the foreign diplomats expressed their admiration for our basketball players’ proficiency and facilities of the new sports complex. The leader of nation invited the diplomats to visit the complex for sporting activities at their spare time. Here, in the “Bagtyyarlyk” Complex building, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov received Secretary General of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Javad Mottaghi. During the meeting, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov and his guest exchanged views on the prospects for establishing cooperation in information exchange. As noted, the membership of the State Committee for Television, Radio Broadcasting and Cinematography of Turkmenistan in the ABU Information Commission had offered excellent opportunities for regular exchanges of information and analytical materials about political, economic, social and cultural life of Turkmenistan and the countries of the Asia-Pacific Region. A special theme of the conversation was the issues of media coverage of the V Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games to be held in Ashgabat in 2017. Over 100 companies –members of the ABU are expected to transmit news items and reports from the Turkmen capital on television and radio channels in more than 60 countries with the audience of one billion people. Even now, we can state that the V Asian Games are going to be a truly historical event and to highlight Turkmenistan on the map of the continent, the Asian Olympic movement, Mr. Javad Mottaghi said. At the end of the meeting, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov and his guest expressed confidence in the successful continuation of fruitful cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union. Upon leaving the new sports complex, the nation’s leader wished its athletes and their coaches – great success in sports and in their lives. The construction of various sports facilities, including modern stadiums and sports schools is well under way in the country on the initiative of the head of state. The tennis court at the “Ashgabat” Stadium is one more facility that can increase the number of people who are fond of sports, and has everything necessary to host international competitions. A festive atmosphere prevailed at the beautifully decorated new court, when President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov arrived. The Chairman of the Tennis Federation of Turkmenistan reported to the head of state on readiness of the facility for commissioning and a tournament. The leader of nation was requested to perform a symbolic service of the ball. The President of Turkmenistan hit the ball with a racket, and gave the start-up to the tennis tournament. The leader of nation was watching the first match with keen interest from the stand of the complex. “Ashgabatabatlaiyshgurlushyk” Production Association of Ashgabat city’s khyakimlik is the Major Client of the object. The project was implemented by “Sport Yildiz individual enterprise. The facility covers an area of 11,242 square meters. It accommodates a central ground and training court with standard “professional” dimensions, which make it possible to hold high-level qualifying matches. The spectator stands can seat 560 peoples. The tennis complex also includes modern infrastructure (necessary for the facilities of the kind) with showers, changing rooms, coaches’ rooms, and an 80-car parking lot. Applauding a high level of quality of the new sports facilities, commissioned during the “Health and Happiness” Month, the head of state has noted that the nationwide action is destined to more widely promote the principles of healthy lifestyle and sports among compatriots. The facilities opened in the capital should be of benefit to the native people, the present and future generations, the head of state said. In commemoration of the event, the head of state signed a big tennis ball and, having thanked the event participants, proceeded to the exit. Here, the Turkmen leader was welcomed by the guests. Among them was Elena Chaikovskaya, a prominent Russian figure skating coach, who shared her admiration for the rapid pace of the Turkmen sport development, expansion of sports infrastructure, new stadiums and sports complexes, which meet international standards. Such striking changes in the Turkmen sports movement could occur only thanks to personal concern of the head of state, Elena Anatolyevna said, having expressed confidence that sports in Turkmenistan would have the bright future. President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov warmly parted with the ceremony participants and left the venue.