The head coach of FC Rubin Kazan, Kurban Berdyev, who arrived in Ashgabat on a short-term visit, gave an exclusive interview to Turkmenportal. The conversation took place at the edge of the training football field of the Ashgabat Stadium, where a well-known Turkmen and Russian specialist conducted a master class for the youth team of Turkmenistan.
- Kurban Bekiyevich, we are glad to see you again in your native Turkmen land. With what feelings do you come to Turkmenistan every time?
- Homeland - first of all. Every time a plane lands, such a feeling is filled - inexpressible! Maybe because I rarely come, but every time - with great joy and warmth.
- And when was the last time you were in Ashgabat?
- Two years ago.
- How much has Ashgabat changed?
- Very much! I don’t even know some areas, I just don’t know! And sports facilities that have appeared! When I was told about the changes, I thought they were exaggerating. But what I saw yesterday and today is amazing!
- What is the reason for the current short-term visit to Ashgabat? Who are you planning to meet during it?
- I arrived for 3 days. The visit is primarily due to the fact that the new leaders of the Football Federation of Turkmenistan again invited me, and I felt their interest today. They practically start from scratch, but they are pleased with the thoroughness, the fundamental approach. We agreed on the cooperation of the Football Federation of Turkmenistan with the FC Rubin Kazan in terms of coaching events and youth football. We have a lot of serious projects, starting from kindergarten to the main football club. Ivan Daniliants will arrive in Ashgabat on March 22. He is engaged in the infrastructure of the club FC Rubin, before that he worked at FC Rostov. He will come with our solid proposals for football development projects.
- In Turkmenistan, many fans are experiencing the recent failures of the FC Rubin headed by you. What are they connected with?
- First, financing. There were a lot of expensive football-players, and financially the club could not stand it, we would simply collapse and disappear, would be bankrupt. We went to an unprecedented case - removed all the players, the budget was lowered to our capabilities. Of course, this affects the results, because we are now practically playing with young people. Our pupils - 18-22 years. They are more and more able to play. Of course, the players are not enough, but we still hold on, and I think that everything will be fine.
- For many football fans in Turkmenistan, the news that the coaching tandem Berdyev - Vitaliy Kafanov was unexpected, without which it is difficult to imagine the coaching staff of your club. What caused Kafanov’s departure to FC Rostov, or was it Kafanov’s temporary separation from you?
- Vitalik ... This is primarily due to his professional activities. Those big tasks that we always set, he worked on them. Now, when we do not have serious tasks, when they are intermediate, so we will say, in FC Rostov our friends, the president of the club asked him to help them rise, because they have very serious tasks. But we agreed that Vitaliy will help there, and then we'll see how events will develop.
- You must be watching the Turkmen football. As an expert, what assessment can you give to the performance of Turkmen teams in the international arena?
- I, first of all, see a fundamental approach, as I have already said. Firstly, sports facilities are being created, there are a lot of them, and young people have where to go. In many republics and countries there is not, but here it is. This is a very important point that young people have, where to train, there is, where to work, and all the conditions have been created for this. Today I felt this transformation, there is a swing to serious projects. Dear President of Turkmenistan does a lot for this, so I’m optimistic about the future of Turkmen football.
- So, you will come more often?
- Yes, I hope that the contact with the Football Federation of Turkmenistan will be closer. I hope that I will come more often than before.
