Rustem Esenov, head of the “Dynamo” football school in Ashgabat, discussed his approach to training young footballers, the specifics of youth football in Turkmenistan, and his partnership with the Moscow club. The interview was published on the “Dynamo” Moscow website.

The “Dynamo” Children's Football School opened in the capital of Turkmenistan in the fall of 2025. Today, it enrolls over 100 children aged 6 to 14. The curriculum is aimed not only at developing physical fitness and mastering technique and tactics, but also at developing individual skills.

"Our football school is a project focused on developing children through football. We work with young footballers of all ages, focusing on technique, mentality, discipline, and a love of the game," Esenov explained.

According to him, Turkmenistan has many talented and physically gifted children, yet youth football often lacks consistency and modern methods. "We're trying to fill this gap by organizing the training process so it meets international standards and prepares children for the next level," the school's director noted.

Esenov emphasized that the partnership with “Dynamo” Moscow was no coincidence. "Dynamo” is a club with history, philosophy, and a strong training school. We share “Dynamo's” approach to developing players: discipline, intelligence, and team culture. We see this partnership as an opportunity to give our children a realistic direction and development path," he explained.

The school's principal emphasized respect, discipline, hard work, and responsibility among the school's teaching principles. "We teach children to be team players, to listen to their coach and teammates, to not be afraid of mistakes, and to work on themselves. Football is a character-building tool for us," Esenov said.

He also noted that during training, children become more confident, disciplined, and learn to work in a team. "Parents often note that this is reflected not only on the field, but also in school and everyday life," the director added.

One telling example of the school's work is the story of a student who managed to pass the selection process and join the academy of a professional club in Kazakhstan. "He survived tough competition and multiple tryouts in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, relying solely on his level of preparation, gameplay, and discipline," Esenov said.

According to the director, the school's goal for the coming years is to build a sustainable training system, expand cooperation with professional clubs, and give talented children real opportunities for development.

Esenov also emphasized the project's social mission. "We see our mission as giving children direction, an alternative to the streets and inactivity. Football helps shape a healthy generation, teaches values, and brings families together. For us, this isn't just a sport—it's an investment in the future," he concluded.

Dynamo Moscow is the oldest Russian football club, founded on April 18, 1923. It is one of the most decorated clubs in the USSR and a member of the Russian top division. The "white-blues" are 11-time national champions and winners of the USSR/Russian Cup, playing their matches at the Lev Yashin “Dynamo” stadium. Ashgabat native Rolan Gusev has been the head coach of “Dynamo” Moscow since December 2025.