Within the framework of the visit, a meeting with the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, participation in the opening ceremony of the 5th Asian Indoor Games and Martial Arts, as well as a meeting with the national team and the sports delegation of Kazakhstan are planned.This was reported by the press service of Akorda.

The President of Turkmenistan warmly greeted Nursultan Nazarbayev on hospitable Turkmen land and expressed his gratitude for participating in the forthcoming opening ceremony of the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games.

"This is our common holiday, a holiday of all the states of Central Asia. This is an indicator of our solidarity and cohesion. Representatives of 64 countries take part in the Games, and at the request of the United Nations a national team consisting of refugees as a 65 country; they will compete under the banner of these Games," Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said.

During the meeting, the Turkmen leader particularly noted the indelible impression that the high organizational level of Expo-2017 specialized international exhibition in Astana made.

In his turn, Nursultan Nazarbayev thanked Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for the invitation to participate in the opening ceremony of the 5th Asian Indoor Games and Martial Arts Games and emphasized the significance of holding such events.

"I congratulate you on the holding of these Asian Games. Many sports facilities have been built, which in the future will serve the good of your people. Such events make it possible for Turkmenistan to become more recognizable in the world. This year Kazakhstan has also hosted a large-scale sports competition - the 28th World Winter Universiade. In general, organizing major international events in our region is very important," the President of Kazakhstan said.

The Head of the State has also focused on fraternal relations with neighbouring Turkmenistan and noted the need for further development of bilateral cooperation.

"After your visit to Kazakhstan much has been done; the Interstate Commission is functioning. I think that we have good prospects in the economic sphere. I have arrived here from Uzbekistan, where I was on a state visit. A lot of issues have been resolved: cross-border cooperation, excises, taxes, tariffs in the sphere of transportation. Immediately there was an increase in trade between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, this year it has grown by 35%. I hope for such an extension of relations between our countries," Nursultan Nazarbayev concluded.

The same day the Head of State met with Kazakhstan’s sports delegation, taking part in the 5th Asian Indoor Games and Martial Arts.

During the meeting, the Head of the State asked about the team's mood and noted that he had arrived in Ashkhabad to support Kazakhstan’s athletes.

"These representative competitions will be attended by some of the best athletes from all participating countries. Our team is also represented by many eminent champions," Nursultan Nazarbayev said.

The Head of the State on behalf of the national team of Kazakhstan was greeted by its captain Nurlan Myrzabayev, representing our country in these competitions in taekwondo.

"Let me, first, thank you for the constant attention you give to sports development in our country. It should be noted that in all the sports achievements of our state on the world arenas there is a large share of your merit. We, Kazakhstan’s national team members, will do everything to make our flag fly as often as possible at the Games held in Ashkhabad," Nurlan Myrzabayev said.

The President of Kazakhstan stressed that the state created all the conditions for sport and healthy lifestyle, and focused on the importance of the national athletes’ achievements in the formation of a healthy nation.

"We have various sports facilities built in all regions; our athletes take part in the highest-level competitions, and among you there are famous athletes. We have talented youth, and almost every year we have new names in the sport. In general, looking at your victories, young people will strive for sports, and this is a prerequisite for the formation of a healthy nation. You must set the example for the younger generation," Nursultan Nazarbayev said.

Words of appreciation to the Head of the State were said by Olga Rypakova, a famous Kazakhstan’s athlete, champion of the Olympic Games in London and bronze medallist of the Olympic Games in Beijing and Rio de Janeiro.

"On behalf of all our athletes let me express our great gratitude for the care and support that you render us, despite your busy schedule. You always find time to meet with us, talk, express your farewells and blessings. We will try very hard to show ourselves only from the best side, and to please you and all Kazakhstan fans," Olga Rypakova said.

At the end of the meeting, the Head of the State noted that millions of Kazakhstani fans believe in the successful performance of our athletes, and wished them successful starts and bright victories.

After the meeting Nursultan Nazarbayev has taken part in the opening ceremony of the 5th Asian Indoor Games and Martial Arts in Ashkhabad.

Games are held under "Health. Inspiration. Friendship" motto. More than 6 thousand athletes and official representatives from 65 delegations of the countries of Asia and Oceania participate in sports. Kazakhstan’s national team is widely represented in sports disciplines, according to which the competitions are held.

The Program includes competitions in 21 kinds of sports. They will be in track and field athletics, powerlifting, basketball, futsal, tennis, cycling, swimming in the 50-meter pool, show jumping, sports dancing, bowling, billiards, chess, Thai boxing, taekwondo (WTF), kickboxing, sambo, jujitsu, kurash, belt wrestling, Greco-Roman and free-style wrestling and the Turkmen national struggle.