Turkmenistan Hosts First International Sports Media Forum

Turkmenistan’s international sports development took a significant step forward today with the start of the inaugural Turkmenistan International Sports Media Forum 2013 in the country’s capital, ed Ashgabat.

Forty of the world’s sports media from 23 different countries are attending the Forum to hear a range of high profile speakers and view the city’s impressive new iconic sports facilities. Speakers include Gianni Merlo, President of AIPS, and Michael Cole, Former London 2012 Marketing and Communications Director for BT Global Services. International media are also joined by 80 foreign correspondents and local media for the Forum’s discussions, which will focus on best practice in media operations ahead of Turkmenistan hosting their first ever major international sporting event, the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games 2017.

Day 1 of the Forum began with a welcome address by the Chairman of the State Committee of Turkmenistan for Sport, Batyr Orazov. Welcoming everyone to the Forum, Mr Orazov said:

“It is a great honour for Turkmenistan to be hosting so many media from the sports world. We look forward to sharing best practice with them and receiving the benefit of their experience ahead of hosting our first major international sporting event, the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, in 2017.”

Day 2 of the Forum will see the delegates touring Turkmenistan’s rapidly developing state-of-the-art Olympic Complex, which includes two brand new stadiums, a velodrome, countless training centres, and a luxury media hotel. Highlights of Day 2 will also include a speech from Osman Karakus of Polimeks, the Turkish construction company developing the Complex.

Gianni Merlo, the President of AIPS – which is partnering the Forum – also delivered a keynote address to the delegation:

“AIPS is delighted to be involved in the inaugural Turkmenistan International Sports Media Forum 2013. AIPS is well placed to help emerging nations use sport as a way of communicating internationally. We are looking forward to our members sharing their views and best practice with the Turkmen authorities. These are exciting times for sport in Turkmenistan.”