On September 27, 2017 the solemn ceremony of the official closing of the V Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games with the participation of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was held at the Olympic Stadium in Ashgabat. Tens of thousands of spectators, guests and participants of the sports festival gathered to participate in the festivities at the Olympic Stadium of the Turkmen capital.
Over half a thousand reporters and commentators from 82 countries covered the V Asian Games, telling not only about the results of the competitions, but also about Turkmenistan, it’s beautiful capital, sharing admiration and opening the world a new look at our hospitable country.
For eleven days, all the athletes led an exciting fight for medals, but despite the intense competition, interesting rivalry, which gave the fans a lot of emotions, the unifying beginning was the desire for open and trusting communication, friendship, mutual understanding.
From the first days, the Turkmen team broke into the leaders of the competitions and did not descend from the first line of the medal standings, having firmly secured the first team place. In total, Turkmen athletes won 245 awards, of which 89 - gold, 70 - silver and 86 – bronze.
The participants warmly greeted the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the President of the Olympic Council of Asia Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah. The floor was given to the head of the OCA.
"The Games of Ashgabat 2017 have ended, but we will never forget the wonderful time spent here," said Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah. The games were held with outstanding success. And this is all thanks to the foresight and attention of His Excellency the President of Turkmenistan, the high guest emphasized, expressing confidence that Ashgabat will be able to organize even larger sports competitions.
Turning to the athletes, he noted that each of them with pride and high honor represented his country and the flag of his homeland. Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah thanked the Turkmen athletes who demonstrated a high level of skill and won the first team place. Words of gratitude were also addressed to the sponsors of the Games and the media for their support and attention. The head of the OCA expressed special gratitude to the volunteers. "With your smiles you made the stay of many people here happy. You have continued the traditions of hospitality inherited from ancestors since the time of the Great Silk Road, which is already two thousand years old, "the President of the Olympic Council of Asia said.
On behalf of the Olympic Council of Asia, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah expressed to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the whole Turkmen people and the organizers of the Games a deep gratitude.
Then the floor was given to the President of Turkmenistan. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov warmly congratulated all athletes and coaches on successful performances at the Games and wished them new successes and bright sports victories. The head of state declared the Games "Ashgabat 2017" closed.
The march of the Olympic Council of Asia was performed. To the sound of music at the Olympic Stadium, the flag of the OCA was lowered, and its cloth, solemnly carried off the field.
There was a sad moment of extinguishing the Fire of the Games, which burned in the bowl over the giant image of a horse all ten days. Quickly passed seconds of the countdown of time, amicably picked up by spectator tribunes. The soft breeze of the golden autumn of Turkmenistan dispelled the white smoke from the burning of the yuzarlik over the torch of the dying Fire and the hearth in the center of the stage, which our people mean by kind words.
The final performance began in the arena of the stadium.
At the end of the presentation, the presenter, on behalf of all compatriots and athletes, expresses gratitude to the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for caring for holding high-level V Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games. At this the official closing ceremony of the Games "Ashgabat 2017" was completed. And the evening at the Olympic Stadium continued a big concert of domestic and foreign pop stars.
In the concluding part of the concert, the participants of the festive celebration sang the anthem of the Games of Ashkhabad 2017 in unison.
And immediately behind the musical finale over the Ashgabat Olympic Stadium salute came. Seven minutes lasted a light show, which turned the evening sky of the capital into a cascade of sparkling fountains of colorful lights.
During stay at the Olympic Stadium, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov met with President of the Olympic Council of Asia Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah and President of the National Olympic Committees of the countries of Oceania Robin Mitchell.
