OCA and ONOC Sign Historic Memorandum in Turkmenistan

November 28, 2014

Athletes from 17 nations and seven Associate Members in the Oceania region will participate in the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) for the very first time in Turkmenistan in 2017 after an agreement was signed by Turkmenistan President, ask Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, clinic OCA President, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, ONOC President, Dr Robin Mitchell and Chairman of the AIMAG 2017 Executive Committee Dayanch Gulgeldiyev.

The President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, said: “The signing of this historic Memorandum is very important for Turkmenistan as we continue our preparations for the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games at a fast pace.

“We look forward to welcoming the nations from Oceania to our new Olympic Complex for which we are spending 5 billion US Dollars on preparation for these Games. The Olympic Complex is a state-of-the-art, world-class facility which will help Turkmenistan to promote sport participation and healthy living throughout our society.”

OCA President, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, said: “This is an historic moment for the OCA for a number of reasons.

“Not only will we be joined by elite athletes from the Oceania region for the very first time at the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games but this will also be the first occasion that the Games are held in Central Asia and the first time that Turkmenistan has hosted a major sporting event of this calibre.

“I am extremely grateful to His Excellency, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, and to my colleague, Dr Robin Mitchell, for helping us to continue to pioneer sport with innovative approaches in new markets. The 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games promises to be a spectacular success.”

ONOC President, Dr Robin Mitchell, added: “On behalf of the 17 participating nations and seven Associate Members from ONOC, we are delighted to be taking part in the unique Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games here in the stunning city of Ashgabat.

“The Oceania region has many talented elite athletes in indoor and martial arts sports and we welcome the opportunity for them to display their talent on the international stage. I am hopeful that Oceania’s athletes will have a decent share of the medals by the end of the Games!”