FIFA international experts Gayoz Darsadze (Georgia) and Raimondas Statkevicius (Lithuania) are on a working visit to Ashgabat. They are conducting training seminars for specialists from the Football Federation of Turkmenistan (FFT) and participating in the development of the current strategy for the development of amateur football in the country, according to the publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’.

The meeting was held at the ‘Ýyldyz’ Hotel and was dedicated to the development of mass football. FIFA Regional Technical Advisor Gayoz Darsadze spoke about the organisation's priorities and global programmes.

According to him, FIFA has studied the state of amateur football in 185 countries. Turkmenistan has become one of the platforms for the implementation of best practices.

Darsadze noted that the FFT has already begun systematic work. He said that the long-term development of professional football is impossible without a strong base in the amateur sector. He named the ‘Football in Schools’ programme as a key area. It is seen as a basis for training players and as a social project to get young people involved in sport.

The ‘Talent Development Scheme’ programme is also being developed. In conjunction with the FFT's technical department, modern methods of player selection are being introduced. In 2027, it is planned to launch an expanded ‘Football for Schools’ programme. Among the priorities for cooperation are education, training of coaches and technical specialists, as well as inclusiveness, including the development of women's and youth football.

During the meeting, Darsadze noted the achievements of FC ‘Arkadag’ and expressed his gratitude to the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov for their support of sport and the development of football infrastructure.