On 20th of January 2017, at the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne, there was a meeting of the Turkmen delegation consisting of the Chairman of the State Committee on Sports, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Executive Secretary of the organizing committee of the 5th Asian Indoor Games and martial arts, and the Secretary-General of the National Olympic Committee of Turkmenistan with the President of the IOC, Mr. Thomas Bach.
During the meeting the sides exchanged views on prospects for further development of cooperation between the IOC and Turkmenistan. The Turkmen side informed of Turkmenistan's achievements in terms of development of mass sport and elite sport in the country, the conditions created by the country's leadership for the promotion of sports and the success of the events of the highest international level. The delegation of Turkmenistan reported on the progress of preparations for the 5th Asian Indoor Games and Martial Arts in Ashgabat. In this regard, it was suggested that efforts to use multi-functional sports facilities that were built for the 5th Asian Indoor Games and martial arts for the benefit of the international Olympic movement, and in accordance with the Olympic principles, including through a variety of activities under the auspices of the IOC. Turkmenistan delegation invited the IOC President to take part in celebrations on the occasion of the upcoming Games in Ashgabat as the guest of honor.
For his part, President of the IOC, Mr. Thomas Bach expressed his gratitude for the efforts of Turkmenistan and its contribution to the development of mass sports through the construction of modern sports facilities and the widespread popularization of sports in the country. Noting the importance of the work done by Turkmenistan in this direction, in particular the creation of conditions for development of sports and the preparations for the 5th Asian Indoor Games, Mr. Bach expressed readiness for further cooperation and suggested considering the promising ways of interaction.
The IOC President thanked the Turkmen side for the invitation to visit Turkmenistan and participate in the celebrations in the framework of the upcoming 5th Asian Indoor Games and Martial Arts, and wished every success in the upcoming events.
