ISLAMABAD - A simple but impressive ceremony was launched at Islamabad Club on Wednesday to mark 500 days left in the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games Ashgabat 2017.
Turkmenistan Ambassador Atajan Movlamov, Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Director General Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera, AIPS ASIA secretary and Pakistan Sports Writers Federation (PSWF) president Amjed Aziz Malik, secretary Zahid Faroorq Malik, OGDCL Sports Board vice president Ajmal Sabir, RISJA acting chairman Nasir Aslam Raja, president Mohsin Ali, secretary Shaikr Ababsi, members along with other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
Sharing his views, Turkmenistan envoy Atajan Movlamov welcomed all the distinguished guests and said: “My country is ready to host mega sports gala in September next year. Last time, 45 countries of Asia participated but this time, 62 Asian countries will take part in the Games. The venue’s complex is almost ready to host the biggest sporting event in the history of Ashgabat. We will provide best possible facilities to the participating athletes, who will showcase their skills in 21 different sports. Last time, 19 events were conducted, but on the special request of Turkmenistan president, two more disciplines were included.”
“We have spent billions of dollars to prepare venues, sports village, Olympic house and the world’s best complex, which will host 100s of athletes from across the Asia. We are looking forward to give befitting reception to our guests and hope they will not only enjoy competitive action but also the hospitality of our people and sportsmen.”
Speaking at the occasion, AIPS Asia secretary Amjad extended his deepest thanks to the Turkmenistan Ambassador and said: “Although international sports events are not taking place in Pakistan, yet our sports journalists on their part are cashing every opportunity to bridging the gap as far as the prestige of the country is concerned.
“I take the privilege to present myself as an example, as I bagged two unique honours in the entire history of Pakistan. Firstly, I secured free will based verdict from delegates of 68 countries in 2012 and won the executive committee membership of the AIPS. Secondly, I was elected unopposed AIPS ASIA secretary in February last and was honoured to represent more than 8,500 sports journalists of the continent. Thus, I have been able to heralding my beloved national flag in front of two international gatherings of distinguished sports journalists and presented the soft image of the country.”
He said: “Let me take the privilege to present a joint offer on behalf of Asian sports journalists organisation and the PSWF to assisting the government of Turkmenistan in meeting all its demands for making presence of sports journalists and professionals to ensuring successful conduct and proper projection of the event and sign a MoU in this regard to ensure intensive converge of the mega event.”
IPC minister Riaz Pirzada extended his all-out cooperation on behalf of government of Pakistan and said: “Pakistan and Turkmenistan enjoy highly cordial relations and Pakistan was amongst the first countries to recognise Turkmenistan Independence in 1991 and PM Nawaz Sharif visited Turkmenistan last year, while Turkmenistan president also visited Pakistan this year.”
“Pakistan will not only participate in the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games but will also extend full cooperation in smooth conducting of Games,” the IPC minister concluded.
