Today, independent, permanent neutral Turkmenistan together with the entire international community has widely celebrated World Health Day. In the mass bicycle ride timed to this remarkable holiday, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov took part.

In the Era of Revival of the new epoch of the powerful state, World Health Day fixed in the national calendar of significant dates, gets enriched its content, inspiring and uniting Turkmen nationals, showing adherence to the healthy and active way of life. It is visible result of socially focused state policy realised by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the invariable priority of which is maintenance of peaceful and happy life of people.

In the given context, encouragement of mass physical health improving and sports movement in the country acts as a prominent aspect. It is an indisputable fact that health and sports are concepts inseparable. Being an adherent and propagandist of regular practice of physical culture and sports, the head of the state regularly participates in festive sports actions. As known, the initiative of conduction of similar actions belongs to National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. Thus, nowadays Arkadagly Hero Serdar continues these noble undertakings of Hero-Arkadag properly.

And today the head of the state also took part in the sports action organised in the capital, which started in the southern part of Ashgabat where the Path of health laid on a hillside of the Kopet Dagh begins. Thanks to adopted measures on preservation of natural sights of the capital and its vicinities in this picturesque corner fertile microclimate that has made this unique walking path a favourite place of useful leisure of residents and visitors of the capital has developed.

In the morning, members of the Government, heads of the Mejlis, ministries and sectoral departments, military and law enforcement bodies, capital administration, public organisations, mass media, rectors of higher educational institutions gathered there. Among participants of the sports action - representatives of the Khalk Maslakhaty, national parliament as well as heads and employees of the diplomatic representatives accredited in our country and international organisations.

Among the gathered - young schoolchildren of the Palace «Döwletliler köşgi», schoolchildren of the School of young Olympians and comprehensive schools, sportsmen of the national team of Turkmenistan in cycling, student's youth, representatives of the public.

All with great enthusiasm welcome President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

On the occasion of World Health Day workers of culture and art of the country prepared their creative gift and performed with a colourful music-dancing composition.

Having given a start to the mass bicycle ride, the head of the state headed the column of its participants provided with corresponding sports equipment. After the President of Turkmenistan, all started planned movement along the route lying from the Path of health through broad avenues of white marble coated Ashgabat.

The bicycle rides, which have become in Turkmenistan a noble tradition, - one of the widespread forms of socially significant actions, organized in world countries in holidays, as well as in support of various social and ecological projects and initiatives. Every year in sports actions carried out in our fatherland more and more participants - both the youth, and people of advanced age are involved.

As a result of the complex strategy initiated by Hero-Arkadag and nowadays consecutively implemented by Arkadagly Hero Serdar, in the capital and regions of the country all conditions for practice of physical culture and different sports are created. Development of this important sphere is an integral factor for improvement of health, prevention of various diseases, physical and spiritual self-improvement, improvement of quality of life of people, harmonious education of the younger generation.

The national program «Saglyk», other corresponding programs and projects are systematically realised and the profile material and technical basis is modernised. In the country projects of the sphere of public health services, sanatorium and sports infrastructure, which meet all parameters of international standards were constructed and under construction. The innovative medical cluster is created in the new «smart» city of Arkadag.

Today, Turkmenistan possesses considerable experience and potential both for conduction of trainings and improvement of skill of sportsmen and for preparation of highly qualified specialists for the given profile, organisation of competitions of regional and global levels. Here as a concrete example, it is possible to cite the capital universal Olympic village, the arena of which in 2017 hosted with great success the V Asian indoor and martial arts games and following years - a number of other large international competitions. The complex of modern sports constructions has entered into an infrastructure of the city of Arkadag.

Fine possibilities for practice of physical culture and sports, including water sports, are provided in Avaza national tourist zone on the ecologically clean Turkmen coast of the Caspian Sea. The effective impulse in development was also received winter sports, which were earlier unusual taking into account the local climate, in particular, figure skating and hockey, which young Turkmen nationals nowadays with great enthusiasm master.

Worthily answering to the care and support of the state, our sportsmen actively participate in prestigious international tournaments and achieve remarkable results, annually winning new prizes with their achievements in sports. All it promotes augmentation of authority of neutral Turkmenistan on the world scene, advancement of its constructive initiatives, called to promote promotion of fruitful cooperation with foreign partners, support of the Olympic movement in its global humanistic and peace-making mission.

In the given context, it is remarkable that sports diplomacy and ways of involvement of its potential find reflexion in the Concept of activity and priorities of Turkmenistan within the International year of peace and trust proclaimed at the initiative of our country by the General Assembly of the United Nations Organization. As known, the corresponding Resolution was unanimously adopted in 2024 during the 78th session of GA of the United Nations. According to the concept, this year, which marks the 30th anniversary of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan, it is planned to adopt measures on activization of sports contacts, conduct international sports actions and Games of the United Nations, which were also initiated by our country.

As for the bicycle ride, it is one of the most widespread sports in the world and it is included in the program of the Olympic Games. In our country, it is also popular and has its own history. By the way, today Turkmenistan has all possibilities for conduction of the international competitions in this sport.

Among Turkmen nationals, the number of admirers of bicycle as means of transportation and useful leisure, and at the same time as most ecologically clean mode of transport also grows. Choosing it for walking and travel or as sports equipment, an individual not only improves his health, but also shows a responsible attitude to the environment. In this connection, it is necessary to underline that all social, economic and sectoral programs infrastructural projects realized in Turkmenistan directly are interlaced with the ecological aspect. Therefore, health improving and sports actions also have a nature protection orientation, promoting increase of ecological culture of society.

Generated by centuries with Turkmen people wise traditions of solicitous attitude to the nature nowadays find continuation in scientifically well-founded long-term strategy realised in our country. As a result of annual tree planting campaigns, including those timed to the national holiday of spring - International Day of Nowruz, our fatherland expands the areas of green plantings, parks and gardens, which have a favourable influence on the local microclimate and ecological conditions as a whole.

During the mass bicycle ride, the head of the state instructed Deputy-Chairman of the Cabinet T.Atahallyev who supervises the agricultural sector, to provide constant control over the work carried out within the National forest program, including complex long-term objectives on improvement of ecological conditions and consecutive expansion of wood zones in the country.

Then, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov instructed Deputy-Chairman of the Cabinet B.Annamammedov who supervises the city of Ashgabat, to hold measures on further accomplishment and afforestation of the capital, maintenance of ecological well-being here as well as creation of optimum conditions for practice of citizens sports and physical training under unrelenting control.

Occupying the initiative and well thought position in solution of actual problems, concerning spheres of public health services, sports and ecology, Turkmenistan closely co-operates with the United Nations Organization and its specialized establishments, other authoritative international and regional structures, bringing a concrete contribution to development of effective cooperation in these important areas. Proposals of our country, in particular, those on advancement of bicycle culture meet approval and support of the world community. The resolutions adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations Organization in 2018 and 2022 can serve the best example for it. The joining of Turkmenistan the Global Methane Pledge and the initiative to open the Regional Centre for Climate Technology in Central Asia in Ashgabat also attests to the responsible and far-sighted approach to ecological partnership.

Turning back to the bicycle theme, it is necessary to note its obvious advantages, as it is accessible to people of almost all age groups, it is easy in management and is really a universal training apparatus for maintenance of the good physical shape. The riding a bicycle allows an individual to support all organism in a good shape, promotes increase of its endurance, strengthening of immunity, decrease in risk of development of various diseases.

Besides it, bicycle rides give the chance to admire beauty of the surrounding natural landscape. Time spent in the open air, inspires and gives forces that positive impact on the psychological and emotional condition, general cognitive abilities, raises working capacity and stimulates to creativity.

In a word, cycling sport and riding a bicycle - ideal balance of good mood and advantage for health and a wonderful form of interesting as well as family leisure. These fascinating exercises and sports actions attract more and more young people.

For the younger generation a bicycle - an effective way of disposal of consequences of the inactive way of life caused by academic loads. During the Internet epoch, digitization and interactive multimedia technologies educational process is also connected with pastime of study at computers. At such increased loadings bicycle rides - both excellent gymnastics, and healthy rest. All this in the best way tells upon the physical condition, and on intellectual activity of the younger generation.

Riding a bicycle makes a positive impact on health and development of children. It also promotes their social adaptation and helps to find new friends together with whom it will be possible to make walks and to share impressions.

Issues of improvement of health of children in Turkmenistan are attached a priority significance. The special attention is given to our young citizens who need support from the state. The Charitable Foundation carries out a large-scale activity in this direction for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship created at the initiative of Hero Arkadag, which according to the resolution of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan was named after Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

and in the meantime the column of participants of bicycle ride headed by the head of the state continued the movement on the most beautiful capital highways - Archabil and Bitarap Turkmenistan avenues.

The freshness of spring morning, pure cool air impregnated with aroma of grasses and colours, picturesque landscape of foothills and slopes of the Kopet Dagh, which were dressed in the bright emerald dress, cheer up, give sensation of robustness. The panorama of Ashgabat opening from here, a magnificent architectural ensemble of our capital, which by right was recognised as a «pearl» of Asia, one of the most beautiful and comfortable cities of the planet, please one’s eyes.

Original «business cards» of Ashgabat - its blossoming parks and squares. As known, in May of the past year in the southern part of the capital the opening of the cultural-park complex «Magtymguly Pyragy» where the majestic monument to the ingenious Turkmen poet and thinker was established, took place with participation of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and numerous foreign visitors. Celebrations on that occasion were devoted to the 300th anniversary of the outstanding master of poetry, whose creative heritage is an integral part of treasury of universal culture. A unique component of architecture of the complex – alley of sculptures of famous figures of literature and philosophers representing different countries of the world. It became an embodiment of friendship, brotherhood and good neighbourhood of people, for what Magtymguly Pyragy called in his inspiring works.

All it evokes in the hearts of Turkmen nationals the feeling of sincere pride and participation in the large scale transformations carried out under the leadership of the head of the state aimed at further progress of our fatherland, its confident advancement on the path of peace and creation.

Along the track of the bike marathon race performances of creative groups, which increased the festive atmosphere, were organised.

In the course of the bicycle ride President Serdar Berdimuhamedov like always, displayed excellent physical and sports preparation, in practice confirming advantages of active and healthy way of life and setting a bright example for compatriots.

The bicycle ride timed to World Health Day, finished in the city centre, at the Rukhyet Palace.

Here, addressing participants of the bicycle action, the head of the state underlined necessity of continuation of complex work on further involvement of various strata of society, especially youth, in regular practice of physical training and sports, consolidation of principles of healthy and active way of life in society. Thus, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasised development of children's and youth sports as an integral component of education of physically strong, spiritually rich and purposeful younger generation - the future of our fatherland.

Members of the Cabinet warmly congratulated President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty Hero-Arkadag with World Health Day widely marked in our country.

Then, having wished participants of the sports action health and successes, the President of Turkmenistan warmly said goodbye to all and left the place.

Thus, the mass bicycle ride, which took place today in the capital, became another acknowledgement of unity and coherence of our society, adherence of independent neutral Turkmenistan to enduring universal humane values, peace-loving policy realized and the selected creative way.

Today, on the occasion of World Health Day, along with the capital, mass bicycle rides took place in Arkadag city and in all velayats of the country. Various actions held during the period from April 1 to April 7 in Ashgabat, in the new «smart» city and regions of our fatherland were also timed to this remarkable holiday. Among them - thematic conferences, «a round table», exhibitions, educational, physical and health improving and cultural actions, celebrations, sports events. Thanks to the created optimum conditions for practice of physical training and sports, by uniting younger and senior generations in this aspiration, the healthy and active way of life became a conscious choice of Turkmen nationals.