President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov received President of ARETI International Group, member of the Steering Committee of the International Cycling Union (UCI) Igor Makarov.

The main topic of discussion was the preparation for the upcoming UCI Track Cycling World Championship to be held on October 13-17, 2021, the organization of which is entrusted to the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs of Turkmenistan together with the Cycling Federation and the International Cycling Union (UCI).

As a member of the UCI Steering Committee, I. Makarov reported on the progress of works and on the fulfillment of the Turkmen leader’s instructions on the organization of this important sporting event, which will bring together representatives of 186 world countries.

“Organization of the World Track Cycling Championship is a worthy contribution of our country, a member of the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Council of Asia, to the development of the world Olympic movement and the popularization of sports”, the President of Turkmenistan said. The President of Turkmenistan noted that a major world competition was scheduled to be held in the year of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the country's independence and the 140th anniversary of Ashgabat.

According to foreign experts, all conditions have been created in Turkmenistan not only for practicing sports, but also for holding tournaments of the highest level.

Highly appreciating the Turkmen leader’s the initiative to hold the World Cycling Championship, which plays an important role in the development of world cycling, I. Makarov assured that the International Cycling Union would apply every effort to hold the tournament at the highest level.

As noted, particular attention is paid to organizational issues. In particular, assistance will be provided to ensure that in the difficult situation due to the coronavirus pandemic, all athletes arriving in Turkmenistan are vaccinated.

Taking into account the special importance of the World Track Cycling Championship, which is held in the anniversary year for Turkmenistan, declared as the International Year of Peace and Trust at the initiative of the Turkmen side, special attention will be paid to explanatory work to popularize cycling as an environmentally friendly mode of transport.

Having assured that all instructions of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov will be fulfilled as soon as possible, Igor Makarov wished the President of Turkmenistan health, prosperity and success in his large-scale work.