Today, with the participation of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, a mass bike ride dedicated to World Health Day was held in the capital. In our country, this date, fixed in the national calendar, is celebrated annually widely and with great enthusiasm, being evidence of the Turkmen people’s commitment to the principles of a healthy and active lifestyle.

All-out concern for the well-being of the people is a priority of the state policy of independent neutral Turkmenistan. At the same time, special importance is attached to protecting public health, stimulating and developing a mass physical education and health movement, and popularizing regular exercise in various sports. As a result of the comprehensive strategy initiated by Hero-Arkadag and now consistently implemented by Arkadagly Hero Serdar, all conditions have been created for this in the capital and regions of the country.

It is an indisputable fact that health is an enduring value not only for each person, but also for the entire society. Sport is the pathway to improving health, physical and spiritual self-improvement. The participation of the head of state in such sports events emphasizes the importance of not only the event itself, but also the solution of all tasks related to improving the quality of life of Turkmen people.

In the era of the Revival of a new epoch of a powerful state in Turkmenistan, constant attention is paid to these issues. The Saglyk State Program, other relevant programs and projects are being steadily implemented. The profile infrastructure is being systematically modernized, both medical and sports facilities have been built and are being built that meet high international standards. 

One of the sightseeing attractions of Ashgabat is the universal Olympic village. On its territory there are a number of specialized sports complexes, the arenas of which have repeatedly hosted major international competitions with great success. These include the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in 2017, the World Weightlifting Championships in 2018, the World Kurash Wrestling Championships and the Central Asian Team Tennis Championships among young athletes in the age category up to 12 years in 2023. 

Excellent opportunities for engaging in sports activities have been created in the Avaza National Tourist Zone on the ecologically clean Turkmen coast of the Caspian Sea. And of course, there are good prospects for the development of water sports. In this regard, we would like to remind that in 2014, Avaza NTZ hosted the Windsurfing World Cup, with which Turkmenistan entered the calendar of international sailing tournaments for the first time. 

In recent years, winter sports have received a new impetus in development in our country. Thus, on April 15–20, Ashgabat will host the International Hockey Tournament. Preparations for it are carried out on the basis of the relevant Decree of the head of state.

In short, today Turkmenistan has significant experience and potential both for conducting training and improving the skills of athletes and for training qualified sports specialists, organizing competitions at the regional and global level. By adequately responding to the care and support of the state, our athletes achieve remarkable results. The country’s sporting achievements include numerous awards, including a silver medal won in the women's weightlifting competition at the XXXII Summer Olympic Games, held in Tokyo in 2021.

All this facilitates increasing the authority of the Homeland in the international sports arena, promoting the initiatives of neutral Turkmenistan to realize the potential of sports diplomacy in order to strengthen peace, friendship and mutual understanding between countries and peoples.

...In the morning, participants of the sports event gathered at the Bicycle monument, located at the intersection of Chandybil Avenue and Bekreve Street, where the bike ride route begins. Among them are the Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers, heads of the Mejlis, ministries and line departments, military and law enforcement agencies, the capital’s administration, public organizations, the media, and university rectors. Traditionally, heads and representatives of diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited in our country also take part in the cycling marathon on the occasion of World Health Day.

Among those gathered were athletes of the Turkmenistan national cycling team, students, students of the Young Olympians Training School and secondary schools, students of the Döwletliler köşgi Palace, and representatives of the public.

Everyone warmly welcomes President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

On the occasion of World Health Day, the country’s artistic masters perform inspiring music and dance compositions.

Having given the start to the mass bike ride, the head of state led the column of participants. Following the President of Turkmenistan, everyone began an orderly movement along the route running along the spacious, bright avenues of white marble Ashgabat.

As it’s known, a bicycle is the most environmentally friendly form of transport. Thus, choosing it as a means of transportation, riding and traveling, as well as sports equipment, a person promotes not only strengthening one’s health, but also protecting nature. In this context, it should be emphasized that in Turkmenistan, the implementation of adopted socio-economic and sectorial programs and ongoing infrastructure projects is closely associated with the environmental component. Being interconnected with this important factor, regularly held bike rides and other sports events also have an educational function.

Implementing a comprehensive, scientifically based environmental strategy, our country stands for consolidating the efforts of the world community in solving pressing global problems, making a concrete contribution to improving the ecology of the planet. Initiatives of Turkmenistan in this direction, in particular, to promote cycling culture, are gaining recognition and support in the international arena. Clear evidence of this is the Resolutions adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 2018 and 2022.

Confirmation of the responsible position of Turkmenistan in developing solutions to priority environmental issues is also the accession of our country to the Global Methane Commitment and the initiative to open the UN Regional Center for Technologies related to Climate Change in Central Asia in Ashgabat. The corresponding statement made by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov at the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP-28), held in Dubai (UAE) in December 2023, was published and disseminated in the six official languages of the United Nations as in an official document of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly. 

Over the centuries, the Turkmen people have formed distinctive traditions of a careful and harmonious attitude towards nature, striving to turn their beloved land into a blooming garden. As a result of annual greening campaigns in Ashgabat and throughout the country, the area of green spaces is expanding. The created man-made forest areas and parks have a beneficial effect on the ecology and local microclimate.

On the eve of the National Spring Holiday – International Nowruz Day in Turkmenistan, with the participation of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the next stage of the implementation of the landscaping program was launched. The National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov also joined the noble action that took place on March 16. On this day, thousands of seedlings of deciduous, coniferous, fruit trees and grapes were planted in the country.

...Meanwhile, the column of bicycle rally participants, headed by the head of state, continued its movement. The freshness of the early spring morning, the bracing cool air, the picturesque landscapes of the Kopetdag foothills, and the impressive panorama of Ashgabat inspire and delight the eye.

The festive atmosphere was enhanced by the performances of creative groups and athletes along the cycling marathon route.

During the cyclocross, the President of Turkmenistan, as always, demonstrated excellent physical and sports preparation. Continuing the good family traditions established by Hero-Arkadag, an ardent supporter and popularizer of sports, Arkadagly Hero Serdar sets an excellent example for his compatriots, actually confirming the benefits of an active and healthy lifestyle.

Systematic physical education and sports are an excellent means of healing, preventing various diseases, as well as demonstrating a person’s responsible attitude towards their health. In this direction, Turkmenistan actively cooperates with the World Health Organization and other specialized UN structures. By the way, the establishment of the date of World Health Day is directly related to the history of WHO, whose Charter came into force on April 7, 1948. Our country is taking consistent steps to expand international partnerships under the auspices of WHO, making a concrete contribution to solving vital global problems.

As for cycling itself, it has long been widespread throughout the world and, as it’s known, has been included in the program of the Olympic Games since 1896. Let us recall that the history of this sport in Turkmenistan dates back to the creation of the first cycling society in Ashgabat in 1894. Even then, the society organized bicycle races, which aroused great interest, which played a positive role in the popularization of this sport. Now our country has a modern sports infrastructure that allows us to hold competitions on a global scale. Thus, the complex of the capital’s Olympic village includes an indoor cycling track that meets international standards, where the cycling competitions included in the 2017 Asian Games program took place.

The number of fans of this sport and cycling as a means of transportation and leisure among Turkmen citizens is constantly growing. It is gratifying to note that more and more children and youth are becoming involved in these activities. Young cyclists always actively and enthusiastically participate in sporting events. So, pupils of the Young Olympians Training School and the Döwletliler köşgi Palace, schoolchildren and university students joined the current action.

The benefits of cycling for humans are obvious. They ensure an optimal balance of positive mood and cheerful well-being. After all, a bicycle, in addition to its environmental friendliness, is a truly universal exercise machine for maintaining good physical shape. Riding it is an effective way to harden and increase immunity, prevent many diseases, and simultaneously strengthen various muscle groups. This is an excellent workout for the vestibular apparatus, as well as the respiratory system, resulting in improved oxygen saturation in the body. Additionally, consistent cycling and slow breathing while cycling is a great way to relieve stress.

In general, the body’s endurance increases and, as a result, working capacity raises and creative thinking is stimulated. Character qualities such as hard work, willpower, and determination are developed.

Scientific research has also found that thanks to regular physical activity while cycling, the quality of sleep improves, the cognitive functions of the brain increase, and the aging process of the human body slows down.

The advantage of a bicycle is that it is accessible to people of almost all age groups, reliable and easy to ride. Cycling and bike ridings are a wonderful leisure activity, particularly with family or in the company of friends. This provides an opportunity for interesting pastime in the fresh air at any time of the year. And if the route passes through a picturesque area, then a person’s emotional state improves significantly.

The benefits of cycling for children and youth are undisputable. After all, such classes allow learning to coordinate movements and maintain balance. With each trip, the child becomes more dexterous and confident in his abilities, which has a positive effect on both his sports skills and character. The bicycle develops the natural muscle corset well, which strengthens the spine, helping to develop correct posture.

Cycling also helps improve concentration, trains the eye muscles, and serves as an effective prevention of myopia. This is especially true due to the fact that schoolchildren and students spend a lot of time reading books, as well as computers, which in our age of digital technology are necessary means of learning. Cycling has a beneficial effect on the nervous system and makes it easier to cope with study loads. In general, all this has the best effect on the health and intellectual activity of the younger generation.

Nowadays, the bicycle is also widely used as a means of transport for various trips, including to and from work. This is a great “charger” before starting the working day. In the modern world, the popularity of cycling tourism is also growing among adherents of a healthy lifestyle. This type of active recreation provides an opportunity to make exciting trips, gain new experiences and broaden your horizons, and enjoy the beauty of nature.

...Following the route, the column of cyclists continued along the highways of the capital. Ashgabat, impressing with its monumentality and originality of architectural ensemble, is rightfully recognized as one of the most beautiful and comfortable cities in the region and the world. It is a matter of sincere pride for our people that a number of capital objects, as well as Ashgabat itself, as the city with the highest concentration of white marble buildings in the world, are included in the famous Guinness Book of Records.

During the bike ride, the head of state Serdar Berdimuhamedov, addressing the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers B.Annamammedov, being in charge of the capital, instructed to keep under constant control the issues of further improvement and greening of Ashgabat, including the creation of new landscape gardening and green areas, maintaining environmental well-being, comprehensive modernization of urban infrastructure. Speaking about this, the President of Turkmenistan emphasized the need to pay special attention for ensuring comfortable social and living conditions for people.

The decoration of the country’s main city is its well-groomed parks and squares, which in the spring “dress” in a lush blooming outfit. This year, held under the motto “The Fount of Wisdom of Magtymguly Fragi,” a new cultural and park complex named after the great Turkmen poet and thinker will be opened in the southern part of the capital. Celebrations on this occasion will be timed to coincide with the 300th anniversary of the birth of the outstanding master of words, whose creative heritage is an integral part of the treasury of global culture.

...Meanwhile, life was already in full swing in Ashgabat. From early morning, an atmosphere of high emotional and spiritual uplift reigned in the capital, giving everyone a feeling of vivacity and a surge of energy.

Having overcome a long distance, the bike ride dedicated to World Health Day finished in the city center, at the intersection of Bitarap Turkmenistan and A. Niyazov avenues.

Having wished the participants of the sports and fitness event health and success, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov warmly said goodbye to everyone and left the event site.

Thus, the current mass cycling marathon once again demonstrated the unity and cohesion of the Turkmen people, their commitment to enduring universal human values. As a result of the creative policy implemented by the head of Turkmenistan, which has a pronounced social orientation, a healthy lifestyle and sports have become the norm of life for our society, striving for new heights of prosperity and progress.

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Today, on the occasion of World Health Day, bicycle rides were also organized in Arkadag city and in all velayats of the country. It should be noted that the “round tables”, scientific and practical conferences, competitions and demonstrations in various sports, propaganda, physical education, health and cultural events that united student youth, employees of institutions and enterprises, athletes, which took place on these days in Turkmenistan, are timed to coincide with this date. Television and radio programs and thematic publications in the media were also dedicated to the wonderful holiday. 

Implementing a far-sighted state policy, the goal of which is a prosperous and happy life for the people, Turkmenistan is developing fruitful cooperation with foreign countries and international organizations, making a concrete contribution to promoting a culture of health and sports diplomacy, ensuring peace and prosperity, and achieving sustainable development in the regional and global dimensions.