Turkmen athletes took part in the opening ceremony of the 3rd CIS Games, which took place on the 28th of September at the central city stadium in Ganja, Azerbaijan.
Holding biennially, these multi-sport competitions serve as a platform for strengthening sporting ties between the Commonwealth countries – Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The first CIS Games were held in 2021 in Kazan, Russia, and the second in 2023 in 11 cities in Belarus.
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This year, the CIS Games significantly expanded the geography of their participants: athletes from Cuba, Kuwait, Pakistan, Oman, and Türkiye joined the competition. A total of 1,624 athletes under 23 years of age from 13 countries have entered the Games, competing for 246 medal events in 23 sports until 8th of October.
Turkmenistan's sports delegation consists of 56 people, including 36 athletes competing in 3x3 basketball, boxing, wrestling (freestyle and Greco-Roman), karate, swimming, shooting, and taekwondo.
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The 3rd CIS Games are taking place at 12 sports venues in seven cities of Azerbaijan: Ganja, Yevlakh, Mingachevir, Gabala, Sheki, Goygol, and Khankendi. Ganja, which has been designated the «CIS Sports Capital» for 2025, is hosting the largest number of competitions—eight.
The Caucasian leopards Bebir and Leyla are the official mascots of the 3rd CIS Games.
The opening ceremony was attended by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who gave the Games their official start. The organisers prepared musical and dance numbers, as well as mass productions reflecting the history and culture of the host country.
Delegations from each participating country also paraded through the stadium. Taekwondo athlete Azim Maksadov carried the flag of Turkmenistan to a standing ovation from the stands.
The opening ceremony concluded with a spectacular fireworks display that lit up the sky over Ganja.
The Turkmenistan team's participation in the CIS Games is an important step in the development of Turkmen sport and a confirmation of the country's commitment to international sports cooperation. It is also an opportunity for Turkmen athletes to demonstrate their high level of training, strengthen international sports ties, and enhance the prestige of national sport.
At the previous CIS Games in Belarus, the Turkmenistan team, represented by 79 athletes in 13 events, won three silver and 15 bronze medals.
turkmenistan.gov.tm
