The National Institute of Sports and Tourism of Turkmenistan hosted the opening ceremony of the 9th Student Games held among students of higher educational institutions of Turkmenistan under the motto “Turkmenistan is the country of health and inspiration!”, and the 9th National Sports Contest between students of general and vocational schools, employees of ministries and sectoral agencies, the teams of velayats and the city of Ashgabat. The solemn event was attended by the academic staff and students of higher educational institutions, as well as known athletes of the country. During this year’s Student Games and Sports Contest sports enthusiasts of all ages will be able to compete in about 20 sports, including athletics, swimming, chess, tennis, basketball, handball, freestyle wrestling, futsal, sambo, Greco-Roman wrestling, judo, target shooting, national wrestling, football, 3x3 basketball, badminton, cycling, etc. The 9th Student Games and the 9th National Sports Contest will be held in three rounds, and the final competitions will take place in March-April 2018.