The head of the Football Academy of FC Rubin Kazan Ivan Daniliants, who arrived in Ashgabat on a short-term visit, gave an exclusive interview to Turkmenportal. The conversation took place after the master class, which was conducted by a well-known specialist for young football-players at the Ashgabat Stadium.

- Ivan Albertovich, during the recent visit o Kurban Berdyev to Turkmenistan, he told our portal in an interview that you would bring with you to Ashgabat a number of interesting proposals on the development of football in our country. Please share with our readers, what projects for the development of football will be implemented in Turkmenistan in conjunction with the FC Rubin Kazan?

-Today we come to an agreement with the direction of the Football Federation of Turkmenistan that we will closely cooperate in drawing up a strategic line for the development of football in Turkmenistan. In the beginning, we have to immerse ourselves in the problematic, and then at the second meeting we will talk in detail about the things that are connected with the development of football in Turkmenistan. Our intentions, our visit emphasize on the one hand - the desire of the Football Federation of Turkmenistan, on the other hand - our willingness to help. To help the country in which we were born, grew up and which we want to see at the forefront of world football.

- You are a great specialist in the development of the infrastructure of football clubs. Tell me, is it possible in Turkmenistan to create such an infrastructure of the club, which, for example, FC Rubin has in Kazan?

- Today, Turkmenistan has more opportunities than FC Rubin, because you have a great economic infrastructure in the country. We didn’t start with this, we didn’t have anything at all, and you have great stadiums in all velayats, you have a lot of facilities. To this we must add, of course, the sports infrastructure, which we, together with the Football Federation of Turkmenistan, will negotiate and develop. This includes training coaches, and a rhythmic calendar, and serious competition with strong rivals. This all refers to the infrastructure we will talk about. 

- What is your impression of our new sports buildings?

- Very wonderful! Remarkably, here is a lot of heart, a lot of mind, a lot of care, and all this, of course, should be a living tool. Not just a visiting card of the country, but for the boys to enjoy here, get an education and, ultimately, it all turned into great achievements of Turkmen football.

- Is it possible to create a club like FC Rubin in Turkmenistan?

- Of course. But we are threatening more. The national team, and not only one, but the Olympic, youthful, youth, all must show results in their continent - the Asian. As you know, teams from Asia, Oceania, and America participate in Wolrd Cup. These are our big tasks. If the desire of the FFT is persistent, long-term, then we will work accordingly too. After today's meeting, it is clear that the intentions of the Football Federation of Turkmenistan are serious. 

- Have you already agreed on something concrete at a meeting with the direction of the Turkmenistan Football Federation?

- We will meet again tomorrow - already in a different composition and we’ll dwell on all our elements of cooperation. This will be the final conversation during this short visit. We will agree on our further meetings.

- When was the last time you were in Turkmenistan?

- The last time I was in 2012.

- How much has Ashgabat changed during this time? Do you recognize your hometown today?

- It is changing more and more every time! And all for the better, it's just a fairy-tale city. Although I have nostalgia, of course, for the old city, for the area that is closer to the Kopetdag Stadium, which is not touched, in which I was born, has grown. These are the streets of Alisher Navoi, the former street "40th anniversary of the Komsomol", Kemine. These streets are familiar to me.  

- Do you have someone left from relatives living in Ashgabat?

- Yes, we have relatives here too.

- When will we see you again in Turkmenistan?

- I do not know, let's see, depends on the Football Federation of Turkmenistan. Kurban Berdyev, in my opinion, gave the “green light” on all issues of cooperation.