Ilya Zhidkov, coach of the Russian table tennis club UMMC (Ural Mining and Metallurgical Company) from Yekaterinburg, highly praised the comfort and colossal scale of the sports infrastructure in Ashgabat during a conversation with a “GA” correspondent.
“First of all, it is simply impeccable. The scale is enormous—truly astonishing and impressive. We trained here with great pleasure alongside the kids. We played matches. I must note that the Turkmen athletes are of a very high level. We played competitive games, and the struggle was serious,” said Ilya.
Ilya Zhidkov arrived in Ashgabat with athletes aged 14 to 16 for joint training camps with Turkmen table tennis players. These are the first combined training sessions between young table tennis players from Russia and Turkmenistan. The trainees from Russia’s leading table tennis club, UMMC, are training at the Olympic Complex and the Turkmen State Institute of Physical Culture and Sports, where excellent facilities have been created that meet all modern standards. The training camp will continue until October 25.
During breaks between training sessions, an engaging cultural and educational program has been planned for the young athletes from the Urals, introducing the guests to the landmarks and traditions of hospitable Turkmenistan.
When asked whether he expects Turkmen athletes to pay a return visit, the Russian coach assured that they would gladly welcome their new friends.
“We are absolutely confident that the Ashgabat training camp will mark the beginning of a strong sporting friendship between the students of our countries’ table tennis schools, and will also serve as an important step forward in the further development of bilateral cooperation in the field of table tennis,” concluded Ilya Zhidkov.
turkmenistan.gov.tm
