Digest of the main news of Turkmenistan for March 20

A concert was held in Turkmenistan on the occasion of the anniversary of Serdar Berdimuhamedov taking office as President, a special bus route will operate in Ashgabat on Nowruz, “Turkmenistan” Airlines will increase the frequency of flights Ashgabat - Moscow and other news

Turkmenistan

1. March 19 officially marked two years since President Serdar Berdimuhamedov assumed the highest government post. The fateful inauguration day for the Turkmen people became a special milestone in the history of the independent neutral state. On the occasion of the second anniversary of Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s assumption of office as President of Turkmenistan, a concert of art masters was held at the Aşgabat song and music center.

2. A special bus route will operate for residents and guests of Ashgabat on the occasion of International Nowruz Day. From March 21, passenger bus № 72 will carry out transportation on the route Avtokombinat – Türkmeniň ak öýi.

3. The national air carrier of Turkmenistan will increase the frequency of flights between Ashgabat and Moscow in the spring-summer schedule. From March 31 to October 26, 2024, the number of daily flights between the capitals of Turkmenistan and Russia will increase from five to six.

4. The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev sent sincere congratulations and best wishes to the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on the occasion of the Nowruz holiday - the holiday of revival and renewal. Taking this opportunity, Shavkat Mirziyoyev wished Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov good health, long life and family happiness, and peace, sustainable development and prosperity to the brotherly people of Turkmenistan.

5. President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone on his re-election to the highest government post in the Russian Federation. “Your re-election to this highest post is an indicator of the high trust placed in you and recognition of your services to the country”, said the head of the Turkmen state, also conveying congratulations to his colleague on behalf of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

World

6. Vasily Utkin, a legend of Russian sports journalism, died at the age of 53. Presumably, the cause of death was heart problems. Shortly before the tragedy, Utkin was hospitalized in a Moscow hospital. Since 1994, Utkin has worked on television, hosted many football programs and commentated on matches on NTV-Plus, NTV and other Russian channels. In 2017, he announced his retirement from commentating.

7. A large-scale charity event “The Big Haircut” was held in San Diego, USA. The campaign has two goals: to help children struggling with various illnesses and to break the Guinness record for hair donation. The event was organized by a company that produces wigs for children who have lost their hair due to diseases such as cancer and alopecia. More than a thousand people attended the event and waited patiently to have their hair braided and cut by hairdressers.

Sport

8. Midfielder of the Turkmenistan national football team Ruslan Mingazov is out of action and will not be able to take part in the March 2026 World Cup qualifying matches due to injury. This was reported by the press service of the national team. The report notes that the footballer was injured during training the day before. Mingazov will return to his club to undergo an in-depth examination and continue his recovery. Within the framework of the 2026 World Cup qualifying tournament, the Turkmenistan national team will play two matches against the Iranian team. On March 21, the first match will be held in Tehran, and on March 26, the teams will meet in Ashgabat.