Today, the official opening ceremony was held in the Turkmen capital for the International Tennis Tournament “Ashgabat Open 2024” for young players under 14 from 12 countries in Europe and Asia.
The venue for the tournament is the Tennis Complex, which is part of the Olympic Village infrastructure in the capital. This complex was built at the initiative of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, for hosting the V Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games. It is now the largest sports facility in Central Asia, used for major sports competitions and training for athletes and those looking to improve their health.
The atmosphere in the 4,000-seat covered arena of the Olympic Village is filled with excitement as spectators eagerly await the start of the tournament. The national flags of the participating countries – Great Britain, India, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan – are brought into the arena, marking the beginning of the official opening ceremony.
In a grand setting, the welcome address from President Serdar Berdimuhamedow is read, in which he congratulates the participants of the International Tennis Tournament “Ashgabat Open 2024” and expresses confidence that the tournament will contribute to the development of tennis in Turkmenistan. He also hopes that the foreign participants will have a positive experience of the hospitality and beauty of Turkmenistan.
The audience responds with great enthusiasm and applause to the President’s address.
The climax of the ceremony is reached as the international tennis tournament “Ashgabat Open 2024” is officially declared open. The National Anthem of Turkmenistan is played as the country’s flag is raised above the stands.
After the official part of the ceremony, a lively musical and dance performance follows.
And so, the international tennis tournament “Ashgabat Open 2024” has begun. Fans can look forward to exciting matches on the courts in the days ahead.