Sports
ABU committed to supporting AIRMAG 2017 in Ashgabat
A
shgabat, the capital city of Turkmenistan which will host the 5th Asian Indoor and
Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) in 2017 and 5 May 2016 marked the 500-day countdown to the beginning of the games.
The ABU is actively involved in this special event which will be held in central Asia for the first time. The Union wants to make sure that the games reach the hundreds of millions of viewers in the Asia-Pacific and beyond.
To begin with, the ABU made arrangements for some international TV crews to report on the start of a horse relay on 5 May from the historic site Nisa. This former capital of the Parthian Kingdom is located near modern Ashgabat. Nisa was founded in the 3rd century BC and was reputedly the royal necropolis of the Parthian kings. Excavations at Nisa have revealed substantial buildings, many inscribed documents, and many Hellenistic art works have been uncovered, as well as a large number of ivory artefacts decorated with classical mythological scenes.
AOC President – Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad-Al-Sabah
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The region is also the birthplace of the famous Turkmen horse, Akhal-Teke, which is regarded as a national treasure in the country. Seventeen horsemen
on purebred horses will be traveling around all regions of Turkmenistan during the 500 days.
The 5th AIMAG is also a perfect opportunity to raise the international profile of the neutral Turkmen state. This is the reason the ABU has taken an active part in organising the international coverage of the horse march. It will include all regions of the country and will add unique colour to the AIMAG event thus enhancing the historical significance of the Asian Games hosted by Ashgabat.
The fact that exactly 17 horsemen are taking part in the march has a symbolic meaning. The 17th is the date when the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games will commence in Ashgabat in 2017. The official opening will take place on 17 September 2017 and the participation of 17 horsemen in the festive Akhalteke march throughout the country has a direct connection with the national traditions, customs and beliefs of the Turkmen people.
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