Celebrations were held in the city of Arkadag to honor the victory of the Arkadag Football Club in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge League, during which cash awards were presented to the team’s coaches and players on behalf of the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
The ceremony, which gathered fans and residents of the new city, began at the Akhan monument with concerts by artists and creative groups, as reported by official Turkmen media on Monday.
The main participants of the celebration – the players of FC Arkadag – arrived with the national flag, the trophy, and medals they won in the final match of the tournament held in Cambodia. The team brought the country its first international victory in this competition, strengthening Turkmenistan's position on the football map of Asia.
After the ceremony, the football players walked along the city’s central avenues – Akhan, Aba Annaev, and Kyrizek, towards the 10,000-seat multifunctional stadium. The champions were greeted by the city's residents, elders, and young athletes.
Arslanmyrat Amanov, head of FC Arkadag, emphasized that the trophy is not only a sports achievement but also a symbol of peace. At his initiative, the team decided to donate the prize money to the Charity Fund named after Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, supporting children in need of care.
During the event, Amanov also handed the Cup to representatives of the Arkadag city administration as a symbol of the team's triumph.
Turkmenistan’s FC Arkadag became the champion of the 2024/25 AFC Challenge League, defeating Cambodian club Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng with a score of 2–1 in the final match held on May 10 at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh.
