Why Turkmenistan can host Olympic Games

By William D. Ezah, GNA Special Correspondent, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Sept. 25, GNA – With few days to end the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, almost all participants are convinced the central Asian nation is capable of hosting the summer Olympics Games in the near future.

Well, as one of the few African journalists, invited by the organisers to witness the event, I also share the same opinion. Turkmenistan is capable of hosting the global multiple sports event, having exhibited excellent organizational ability, with state of the art sports facilities.

As a witness to the event, I outlined four key reasons why the former member of the defunct Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), could be a viable candidate for a future summer Olympic Games.

One of the major reasons is the existence of state of the art sports infrastructure.  Having hosted an event with 65 countries competing in 25 sporting disciplines, with over 2,000 athletes, Turkmenistan, stands a great chance of hosting the global event after the next 12 years, but on condition that, they are able to improve and expand the current facilities at their disposal, as well map out effective security arrangements.

Turkmenistan must be able to improve and expand its sports infrastructure to accommodate at least 205 nations, 45 sporting disciplines and a minimum of 11,000 athletes, taking into consideration statistics, as at the end of 2016 Olympics Games, in Rio, Brazil.

For obvious reasons, the figures would continue to rise, so far as we cannot rule out the possibilities of new sovereign nations and new sporting disciplines, who would seek entry into the Olympic family.

On the socio-economic front, Turkmenistan, took advantage of the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games to improve massively on the socio economic infrastructure, by building an entirely new city, new road networks, hospitals, schools, an Olympic stadium with 45,000-seater and a new international airport, all of which, were delivered between a spate of seven years.

To host an Olympic Games comes with serious economic commitments and implications, taking into consideration the huge capital involved in improving and expanding infrastructure to meet the huge inflow of sports men and women, administrators, journalists, fans and tourists, that would invade the country.

Having spent, five billion dollars in the organization of the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, the oil and gas rich nation is more than capable of hosting the rest of the world if given the opportunity.

Turkmenistan is today regarded as one of the fastest growing economies in the world, with huge oil and gas reserves. It is on recorded to be the fourth largest producer of natural gas and the tenth largest producers of cotton in the world.

From the indicators, the Asian country is an economic force to reckon with and capable of meeting the huge financial demands involved in staging the summer Olympics Games.

Available records show that, the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games was worth 15 and 20 billion dollars respectively, though it does not only include sports infrastructure, but the provision other socio economic infrastructures.

It is obvious, the figures would continue to rise after Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028, but taking into consideration the economic prospects and strength of Turkmenistan, coupled with the solid foundation laid after the Asian Games, one is convinced they are capable of taking the giant step of hosting the global event.

Excellent hospitality: The people of Turkmenistan have over the last few days, proven to be people, with warm reception and ready to embrace and appreciate different cultures and people – some of the key ingredients required for hosting international events. Though it is their first time of hosting a large number of people from different countries and cultures, they were always ready and friendly to interact with different people.

One would be surprised at the huge number of photo requests from the people of Turkmenistan, when walking through the venues of competitions and streets, confirming the slogan for the event; Health, Inspiration and Friendship, coupled with the splendid opening ceremony, which was described by many as an Olympic standard ceremony.

In as much as they have what it takes to be Olympic Games candidate, there are two major factors that could hinder their candidature.

Border with Afghanistan: perhaps one of the major issues that would be used against them is their boundary on the east, with Afghanistan and south with Iran.

Afghanistan is currently politically unstable, with frequent records of terrorist attacks, whilst Iran has been on the verbal warpath with the United States of America (USA), with threats and counter threats, hence could be cited as a major security issue to deny them the opportunity.

Prior to the commencement of the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, media reports especially in England, attacked the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for handing over the event to a nation with poor human rights records and described their leadership, as dictatorial hence does not qualify to host the event.

As to whether the nation will able to overcome the two major challenges, which may be serious threats to their ambitions, is only a matter of time, but Turkmenistan is a sure candidate for the summer Olympic Games.

GNA

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