AIMAG 2017: Horse March kicks off in Turkmenistan
Today – 5th of May, in Turkmenistan starts the horse march which marks exactly 500 days to the opening of the 5th Asian indoor and martial arts games (AIMAG). This important sporting event to be held in Ashgabat in 2017 are above all a perfect opportunity to raise the international profile of the neutral Turkmen state. That’s why ABU has taken an active part of organising the international coverage of the horse march.
It will include all regions of the country and will add unique colour to AIMAG event enhancing the historical significance of the Asian games hosted by Ashgabat.
The fact that exactly 17 horsemen will take part in the march has a symbolic meaning. 17th is the date when the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games will commence in Ashgabat in 2017. The official opening will take place on the 17th of September, 2017 and the participation of 17 horsemen in the festive Akhal-Teke march throughout the country has a direct connection with the national traditions, customs and believes of the Turkmen people. Notions like seven days of festivities, measuring seven times before cutting once, seven treasures, seven generations are all deeply rooted in the Turkmen national heritage.
The decision to start the 500 days countdown to the games with a spectacular horse march also attests to the great respect we have for our sacred national values. The participants in the horse march will visit historical and cultural sites across the country and the whole ceremony is meant to show respect to the heritage and the transformation of Turkmenistan in recent years.
The famous Akhal-Teke horse features prominently on the emblem of AIMAG. It’s image can also be seen on the upper part of the Olympic stadium. The inclusion of the equestrian sport in the program of the 5th Asian games and the horse march to mark the 500 days countdown are all part of the efforts to raise the fame of the unique Turkmen horse all over the world. The president of the country himself is said to be a keen horseman and he regularly participates in horse races.