ASHGABAT (TCA) — Authorities in Turkmenistan are selecting spectators to attend sports competitions during the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games which will be held in the Turkmen capital Ashgabat from September 17 to 27, the independent foreign-based website Chronicles of Turkmenistan reports.
Such spectators are being selected from among employees of the country’s public sector organizations.
Those selected must hand in their passports based on which a badge pass will be made.
However, a passport is not sufficient to be selected. Apart from ID, the information on three generations of family members needs to be presented. Residents who have “untrustworthy” individuals in the family are immediately excluded.
Turkmenistan has made extensive preparations for the prestigious games, including banning the sale of alcohol until the games are over, ordering former prison inmates to stay away from sports venues, and clearing beggars from the streets of Ashgabat.
Turkmenistan has put its military and law enforcement agencies on high alert for the period from August 17 until September 27, the period of preparations and holding of the Games.
The 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games is the largest sports event Turkmenistan has ever hosted.
Turkmenistan wants to use the Games to boost its image as a regional sports hub, as authorities expect that tens of thousands of foreigners to visit Turkmenistan during the event.
