New Delhi [India], September 17 (ANI): Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will today be travelling to Turkmenistan for a day to attend 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games.

The ten-day event, beginning on on September 17, will be held at Ashgabat.

"Travelling to Turkmenistan for a day to attend the 5th Asian Indoor & Martial Art Games in Ashgabat," Pradhan tweeted.

He also wished the Indian athletes participating in the event under various categories.

"172 athletes will be representing India in 13 disciplines at this international event. My best wishes to them," he added.

Ashgabat is the first city in the former Soviet Central Asian region, which has won the right to host the Asian Indoor Games.

The opening ceremony will be held at the newly built Olympics stadium in Ashgabat.

All the 45 member-countries of the Olympic Council of Asia will attend this event, apart from the first-timers - 17 Oceania National Olympic Committees. (ANI) </s> The opening ceremony of the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) has taken place in Turkmenistan's capital, Ashgabat.



The ceremony was attended by a number of heads of state and government, including the presidents of Afghanistan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.



Authoritarian President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, who exercises considerable control over virtually all aspects of society in the gas-rich former Soviet republic, appears to want to use the 11-day AIMAG to cast Turkmenistan as a regional success story and sports hub.

But human rights groups have raised concern over rights abuses in the run-up of the competition, including "massive housing violations" in Ashgabat by Turkmen authorities and their continued clampdown on independent voices.



Turkmenistan usually shuns outside visitors but for the AIMAG expects tens of thousands of foreigners to visit.



According to organizers, some 5,500 athletes from 62 countries will be contesting in 21 disciplines -- including tennis, ju-jitsu, cycling track, weightlifting, and taekwondo -- to September 27, making it Asia's second-largest sporting event.



The youngest athlete to participate was said to be a 13-year-old Pakistani swimmer, Jahan Ara Nabi.



The Turkmen government has spent billions of dollars preparing for the games -- the most prominent international event ever held in independent Turkmenistan -- including some $2.5 billion on a mammoth new airport built in the shape of a falcon in flight.



It also built an Olympic Complex located on 150 hectares on the outskirts of the capital and numerous state-of-the-art sporting facilities -- including the Olympic Stadium capable of holding 45,000 fans, a 6,000-seat indoor cycling track, a water-sports complex, an indoor tennis court -- complete with a circular 5-kilometer monorail system to carry athletes, officials, and fans around the complex.

Turkmen officials have said they were planning to bid for hosting other major sports events, including the Olympic Games.



Meanwhile, human rights groups have said homeowners and residents in Ashgabat have had to endure "massive housing violations" ahead of the competition.



The Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights (TIHR) in Vienna and the New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on September 4 that the Turkmen government had "forcibly evicted" homeowners in Ashgabat and demolished their homes "without adequate compensation" in preparation for the games.



They said that Turkmen authorities had also "systematically demolished extensions and additions homeowners have made to their properties, without allowing them to appeal the demolition decisions to a court," in order to "standardize the city’s appearance."



The two human rights watchdogs have also called on the Olympic Council of Asia, as the organizer of the AIMAG, to remind Turkmenistan of its rights obligations.



The Olympic Council of Asia "should urge the Turkmen government to ensure that all journalists can do their work without fear of retaliation ahead of, during, and after the games," an August 8 statement said.



The call came after a correspondent for RFE/RL in Turkmenistan was threatened with death by a man who identified himself as a police officer.



While en route to take photos documenting Turkmenistan's Day of Bicycles on July 29, Soltan Achilova said the man warned her against taking photos or she would be "finished."



The previous week Achilova, 68, said a man tried to steal her phone as she was about to take a picture. The two recent attacks follow several incidents of harassment against Achilova in November 2016.



In an effort to improve the country's image when foreigners start arriving to compete in, or attend, AIMAG, Turkmen authorities have banned the sale of alcohol in Ashgabat, restricted the movement of residents of the provinces to the capital, ordered former inmates to stay away from the games' venues, and tried to clear the city of stray dogs and cats as well as child beggars.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Turkmen Service </s> ASHGABAT, (Turkmenistan), Sept 17 (APP): The 5th Asian Indoor

 and

 Martial Arts Games got under way on Sunday with 6000 athletes from 65 countries – 45

 countries across Asia and 19 countries from Oceana with

 one contingent of the refugees taking part in 21 disciplines.

 President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berimuhamedov, Sheikh Ahmad

 Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, President Olympic Committee of Asia, President of Pakistan

 Mamnoon Hussain, President World Sports Journalist Body (AIPs)

 Gianni Marlo (Itlay), Secretary General AIPS Amjad Aziz Malik (Pakistan) along with other

 dignitaries formally inaugurated the Games.

 President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berimuhamedov and Sheikh

 Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, President Olympic Committee of Asia delivered

 their speeches. A traditional 500 horse rally marking the opening day, followed by

 colourful ceremony held at the newly built Ashgabat Olympic Stadium with a cost of US$

 5 billion, it was packed with spectators, as Turkmenistan became the first Central Asian

 country organizing the event under the supervision of the OCA and IOC.

 The 135-member Pakistan contingent led by Chef de Mission Amjad

 Ali Khan, Secretary IPC and President Pakistan Olympic Association Lt.

 Gen (Retd) Arif Hassan marched past the main arena. The Pakistani flag

 was carried by Shahzeb Janjua, who won the first gold medal along

 with Muhammad Rafique Siddique in Men Duo Show event of the Ju-Jitsu on Saturday.

 In his speech, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah said that the

 opening ceremony had become one of the most memorable moments of any

 international multi-sports Games.

 He said it gave the host city and the country the chance to

 display their proud history and culture. It also brought together the athletes from various

 countries and regions to share the special

 experience.

 He said: “The ceremony sets the scene for what is to come over

 the next few days, highlighting not only the sports action but the

 feeling of unity and solidarity among all participants to make the Games

 a success.”

 He said, this includes the athletes, coaches, team officials,

 media and sponsors and of course, the spectators – who play such an important part in

 an event, like this. On behalf of the Olympic Council

 of Asia it is truly an honor for me to greet everyone on the occasion. Tonight is truly a

 moment that Turkmenistan has been looking forward

 since we have the honor of being awarded the Games in Dec 2010.

 In his speech, President of Turkmenistan said the sports was

 very much important for the youth and the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games would

 bring more to the youth of Ashgabat, besides helping in

 spreading brotherhood and exchange of culture.

 President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed confidence that

 the horse run would be a great reflection of his country’s rich cultural, historical and

 cultural heritage.

 Pakistani athletes on Saturday put in a great show, especially in Jujitsu where they

 grabbed a gold, two silver and three bronze medals,

 besdies a bronze in traditional wrestling (by Ambareen). Pakistan has

 a good chance of winning more medals in athletics, relay and men’s hurdles.

 Olympians Maria Maratab, Mehboob Ali and Rabia Ashaq, and Zeenat, made a good

 athletic side.

 Pakistan will begin its athletic journey on Monday, as many as

 seven male and four female athletes will part of the action. Secretary Athletic Federation

 of Pakistan Muhammad Zafar is hopeful of solid show

 from the athletes.

 “We have done lot of hard work and I am sure enough the athlete

 would spring surprise,” he added. After winning a bronze medal a senior official of the

 Pakistan Wrestling Federation told APP that the country would be looking for more

 medals in belt wrestling to be starting on (Monday). Similarly, Pakistan Weightlifting side

 would start its

 expedition from Sept. 20, Furqan Ahamd, Usman Amjad Rathor, Jamil Akhtar

 are part of the Pakistan Squad.

 Meanwhile, Isra Ilyas and Muhammad Faheem will begin medal quest

 in Taekwondo on September 18-22. In the Traditional Wrestling Pakistan

 only won one medal as Adnan Rana in -62kg, and Muhammad Saeed in -57kg

 were disqualified and Benish Khan lost to Gulmira of Turkmenistan

 in -70kg and Basit lost in 100kg weight against Samandar of Tajikistan

 by 2-0 points.

 Pakistan stands overall at fourth at the medal table on the

 second day, winning seven medals, one gold, two silver and four bronze. Turkmenistan

 with 16 gold, 14 silver and 7 bronze leading at the top

 with 37 medals, Uzbekistan with two gold, three silver and eight bronze, Thailand is third

 with two gold, two silver and three bronze. </s> ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan (AP) — The hopes of Australia and other Oceania countries being allowed to compete in the Asian Games have been diminished by the head of the Olympic Council of Asia.

Speaking at the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games which are continuing in Ashgabat, OCA president Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah said with the Asian Games already operating at full capacity, allowing nations from Oceania to join the event was "unlikely to happen."

Last year, Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates said he was pursuing the idea of his country taking a full delegation of athletes to the 2022 Asian Games, set for Hangzhou, China.

"Discussions are under way and I believe there would be great interest in the Asian Games amongst our member sports," Coates said at the time. "Particularly in sports where the Asian countries are strong (such as) gymnastics, badminton and table tennis. I believe participating in the Asian Games would be very good for us."

But on Monday, Sheikh Ahmad said that while the OCA was keen to continue its current relationship with Oceania countries, centering on lower-level events, it was not likely to happen at the region's premier games.

"With the Asian Games we are already at 15,000 athletes and officials, and we cannot add to that number," he said. "In the Beach Games and Indoor Games we can continue to have our coordination and cooperation, but for the Asian Games the number is very high and we cannot have an Olympic Village with more than 15,000 people. "

The Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games involve 65 teams — 45 from Asia, 19 from Oceania, plus an African Refugee Team. It's the first time Oceania countries are competing officially at an OCA multi-sport games. Athletes from Australia and New Zealand took part in the Asian Winter Games in Japan in February, but only as guest athletes who were not eligible to win medals.

Sheikh Ahmad said there was a minor chance of Oceania countries competing in some events at the Asian Games, but only if current qualifying conditions were altered.

The next Asian Games will be held in Indonesia in 2018. </s> The 18th edition of Asian Games will be officially declared open on Saturday, August 18 with a grand opening ceremony at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia.

When is the opening ceremony and how to watch it live

The ceremony will start at 7 pm local time (5:30 pm IST ,1 pm BST, 8 pm SGT).

The upcoming edition will see the Games be held at two different cities for the first time in its history as Jakarta and Palembang are hosting the multi-sport spectacle.

More than 10,500 athletes are expected to take part in the Games, which runs between August 18 and September 2.

Indonesia seems to be leaving no stone unturned to put on a spectacular show and show the world it is "capable of hosting an international event" successfully.

Celebrated Indonesian singer Anggun will lead the ceremony show. She will be joined by the likes of Raisa, Tulus, Edo Kondologit, Putri Ayu, Fatin, GAC, Kamasean and Via Vallen.

The ceremony stage at the GBK Stadium is going to be one of the major highlights as it features a mountain and a mini waterfall along with Indonesian flora.

Dance shows, choreographed by Denny Malik and Eko Supriyanto, will be performed on the grand stage.
• Parade of Athletes at 7:45 pm local time and 8.45 pm SGT </s> The Asian Games was declared open by Indonesia's President Joko Widodo late on Saturday during a colourful opening ceremony in Jakarta dominated by the joint march of North and South Korea. A burst of fireworks followed the announcement, marking the start of the two-week tournament to be held in Jakarta and Palembang in Sumatra. The ceremony stage -- with features of 120-metre length, 30-metre width and 26-metre height -- showcased a towering mountain as its background, accompanied by plants and flowers unique to Indonesia. Commonwealth Games gold medallist Neeraj Chopra was India's flag-bearer in the opening ceremony. The Indian sports ministry had cleared an 804-member Indian contingent, including 572 athletes, for the Asian Games . The sporting extravaganza will see around 10,000 athletes from 45 countries compete in 58 games.

Highlights of 2018 Asian Games Opening Ceremony, straight from Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta

19:53 IST: Thank you for staying with us for the live updates. Please join us again tomorrow for the live blog updates from the first day of the 2018 Asian Games.

19:53 IST: The opening ceremony comes to a close.

19:50 IST: And we are now to the final performance of the night.

19:40 IST: Indonesian badminton player Lucia Francisca Susy Susanti lights the Asian Games torch after which the tournament officially gets underway.

19:35 IST: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee also wished the Indian team.

Asian Games in Indonesia begin tonight. Good wishes to all 572 members of the Indian contingent in 36 disciplines. May you do well over the next 15 days. Bring back laurels and glory for yourselves, and the country — Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) August 18, 2018

19:33 IST: India's sports minister Rajyavardhan Rathore also wished luck to India's Asian Games 2018 participants.

As the @asiangames2018 begin, ALL THE BEST to our contingent in Jakarta. Gold and glory await you, champs. Make us all proud! #AsianGames2018 — Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) August 18, 2018

19:32 IST: India's Prime Minister extended his greetings to the Indian athletes.

Best wishes to the Indian contingent for the @asiangames2018, which are being held in Indonesia. We are extremely proud of our athletes and I am sure they will give their best through the games. #AsianGames2018 — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 18, 2018

19:24 IST: Indonesian jazz pianist Joey Alexander enthralled the audience with his spell-binding performance.

19:14 IST: Cultural performances on display at the moment.

19:00 IST: The ceremony show begins after the Protocol segment got over.

18:52 IST: Indonesia President Joko Widodo declares the games open.

18:45 IST: Indonesia's flag is brought on stage by Paskibra (Flag Hoisting Troop).

Indonesia's flag is brought on stage by Paskibra (Flag Hoisting Troop). #OpeningAG2018 #AsianGames2018 pic.twitter.com/ChELnRWQtR — Asian Games 2018 (@asiangames2018) August 18, 2018

18:35 IST: Indonesian singer-songwriter Tulus is singing the national anthem.

18:33 IST: Indonesian's national anthem being played after the flag hoisting ceremony.

Tulus sings the Indonesia national anthem, "Indonesia Raya", with the entire stadium singing along! #OpeningAG2018 #AsianGames2018 pic.twitter.com/lgiYKeOaqq — Asian Games 2018 (@asiangames2018) August 18, 2018

18:30 IST: Indonesian singer Via Vallen is crooning to her hit singles. Via performed on the song - Meraih Bintang, the official theme song of the Asian Games 2018.

18:25 IST: The Parade of Nations comes to a close.

18:22 IST: And the last country are the host nation Indonesia. A rousing reception for their team from the spectators.

18:21 IST: Vietnam and Yemen are the next countries.

18:20 IST: Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor Leste and United Arab Emirates are the next three to march into the stadium.

18:15 IST: Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria, Chinese Taipei are the next to march out.

18:13 IST: The two Korean nations will compete together in three disciplines namely lightweight rowing, dragon boat racing and basketball.

18:11 IST: Qatar, the former host nation, are marching in the stadium.

18:10 IST: Nepal, Oman and Pakistan are out in the middle now.

18:06 IST: Malaysia, Myanmar and Mongolia make way to the stadium. Mongolia are the nation to watch out for in the wresting and weightlifting events.

18:05 IST: Laos, Macau and China receive loud cheers from the crowd.

18:03 IST: Over 6000 athletes marching today. We have reached the half-way mark of the athletes march.

18:02 IST: Kyrgystan are the next nation to make their way to the stadium.

18:01 IST: HISTORIC! This is a special moment. Korea unified at the Asian Games. They will compete as separate nations in different sports though.

One by one, athletes walk the stage. This is truly becoming the melting pot for countries all over Asia to celebrate the love of game and friendship! Has your country graced the stage yet? Retweet if they have! #OpeningAG2018 #AsianGames2018 — Asian Games 2018 (@asiangames2018) August 18, 2018

18:00 IST: Jordan, Kazakhstan are led by their respective flag bearers followed by Korea.

17:58 IST: Iran and Japan are the next two teams to follow.

17:55 IST: After Hong Kong China and China, it is India's turn to make their way into the stadium. India is led by their flag-bearer and CWG 2018 gold medal winner Neerak Chopra.

17:51 IST: Maldives, Brunei, Combodia teams make their way into the stadium now.

17:49 IST: Afghanistan is the 1st of the 49 nations to begin their march. Bahrain;s participants follow next. Bangladesh are the third country.

17:48 IST: Athletes now begin their march amid loud and thunderous cheers from the crowd.

17:45 IST: The visuals from the stadium are simply breathtaking. A visual treat for everyone. Children are performing in unison leaving everyone stunned. A showcase of talent and a brief insight on what's in store for the next fortnight.

17:40 IST: Indonesia President Joko Widodo makes way to the stage in style. He reached the stage on a motorcycle leaving the spectators in awe.

President of Indonesia, @jokowi arrives at the #AsianGames2018 Opening Ceremony in the most spectacular way! Watch the show at https://t.co/qVN2hgr1b3 — Asian Games 2018 (@asiangames2018) August 18, 2018

17:32 IST: The opening ceremony begins.

March to victory!

Indian contingent produced a stellar show at the 2018 CWG, where @Pvsindhu1 was the flag-bearer. Now it's time for @Neeraj_chopra1 to take on the guard for the opening ceremony of the 18th #AsianGames2018 at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium! #IndiaontheRise pic.twitter.com/usg22fCCDN — BAI Media (@BAI_Media) August 18, 2018

17:28 IST: The 2018 Asian games will see 45 countries participating. It includes 43 other nations, hosts Indonesia and a unified Korea (North and South).

This is what you've been waiting for, the #AsianGames2018 Opening Ceremony! An abundance of Indonesian cultures will be showcased through dance, songs, drama, and stage decoration. Watch the show now on national TV or https://t.co/id8kKmxV3c #OpeningAG2018 pic.twitter.com/F3Y386CuPP — Asian Games 2018 (@asiangames2018) August 18, 2018

North and South Korea had marched together at the 2018 Commonwealth Games too.

17:24 IST: We are moments away from the opening ceremony now.

17:15 IST: Commonwealth Games gold medallist Neeraj Chopra will be India's flag-bearer in the opening ceremony.

17:00 IST: Indonesian culture will be at full display today at the opening ceremony.

This is what you've been waiting for, the #AsianGames2018 Opening Ceremony! An abundance of Indonesian cultures will be showcased through dance, songs, drama, and stage decoration. Watch the show now on national TV or https://t.co/uTj8RGbIJP #OpeningAG2018 pic.twitter.com/eQGVmZDWdw — Asian Games 2018 (@asiangames2018) August 18, 2018

16:41 IST: India's batting legend Sachin Tendulkar has urged everyone to come out abd support the Indian team.

The #AsianGames2018 are here. The best way we can support our athletes representing India is to watch them do what they do best. Let's show them our true mettle and with pride bring home some metal, guys! — Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 18, 2018

16:35 IST: Hello and welcome to the live updates of the 2018 Asian Games opening ceremony.

The stage has been built manually by artists from Bandung and Jakarta and will witness around 4,000 dancers who will perform on dance choreographed by Denny Malik and Eko Supriyanto. The dancers are expected to perform "an energetic and elegant show" with the presence of an orchestra that will feature at least a hundred musicians with its two conductors Addie MS and Ronald Steven, who are well recognised amid Indonesian music culture. The main Gelora Bung Karno stadium will be transformed into a verdant mountain, organisers say, and Indonesian celebrity singer Anggun Cipta Sasmi will take to the stage.

Around 50,000 people are expected inside the stadium, Games organising committee INASGOC said Saturday, adding that tickets -- which range in price from to $50-$350 -- had sold out. Indonesian Gunawan Tri Wasisto, who works in finance, said tickets were costly but worth it. </s> The Asian Games — which are organised by the Olympic Council of Asia every four years — are the second largest multi-sport event in the world, behind only the Olympic Games.

While usually the Asian Games are held only in one city, this time around the Asian Games will see events happening in Indonesian capital Jakarta and the country’s oldest city, Palembang. While Jakarta will host most of the events, sports like shooting and tennis will be played in Palembang.

The first Asian Games were held in India in 1951.

At the 18th Asian Games, athletes from 45 countries will compete in 55 events. While events like boxing, wrestling, shooting and badminton will represent India’s best chances of getting golds, unusual events like bridge, pencak silat and kurash will also see Indian athletes compete.

The event will also have unconventional events like jet skiing while eSports (video games) will be a demonstration sport. eSports are expected to be medal events at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

The size of India's contingent at the Asian Games stands at 572 — 312 men and 260 women. These athletes will compete across 36 disciplines. </s> ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan -- Mia Speight San Nicolas was statuesque as she entered the Ashgabat Olympic Stadium, leading a small representative of Guam's athletes participating in the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games.

San Nicolas, Guam's flag bearer for these games, is also one of the younger athletes here, representing the future of the island sports. San Nicolas is a member of Guam's 3X3 women's basketball team.

The opening ceremonies, while advertising a start at around 5 p.m., did not actually get going until 8:17 p.m. with a long speech from the Turkmen president.

From there, it was a few more speeches followed by a storybook tale, suggesting that Turkmenistan of the past and goodwill to all led to diversity of sport and eventually, to today's Games.

As the Parade of Nations signaled the end of the ceremony, a warm welcome was given to the 19 nations of Oceania who are joining these games for the first time. Teams from the region, including Guam, were met with cheers and applause.

The crowd went crazy following the introduction of host Turkmenistan, introduced last and proudly given the stadium for a victory lap.

The games have already started and some medals have been awarded. They conclude Sept. 27. </s> Ghani Leaves to Turkmenistan for Official Visit

President Ashraf Ghani leading a high-level government delegation left Kabul to Turkmenistan on an official visit this morning.

The Presidential Palace in a press release said that besides meeting Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, President Ghani will also attend the inauguration of the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games.

The statement further added that the Afghan delegation led by President Ghani includes the ministry of foreign, Salahuddin Rabani, the national security adviser, Muhammad Hanif Atmar, finance minister, Eklil Hakimi, President’s top envoy, Dr. Muhammad Homayoun Qayoumi, Muhammad Shaker Kargar and other Afghan officials.

Previously, the National Olympic Committee (NOC) has stressed that President Ghani’s attendance at the inauguration ceremony of the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan would encourage Afghan athletes and motivate them to do their best.
The fifth Asian Indoor Games open in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, with around 5,500 athletes from 61 countries participating in the event which will last until September 27.