Turkmenistan’s Unstoppable Football Club Named After President Berdimuhamedow
Turkmenistan, a country known for its closed nature and tight control over society, has recently made headlines in the football world with the emergence of FK Arkadag, a team named after former president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow.
Founded just last year, FK Arkadag has taken the football world by storm, securing an impressive 36 consecutive domestic victories and claiming a league and cup double in their inaugural season. The team’s success is unprecedented, especially considering the closed nature of Turkmenistan, where the Berdimuhamedow family exerts near total control over all aspects of society.
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, known by the title of “Arkadag” or hero-protector, continues to wield influence in Turkmenistan despite handing over the presidency to his son, President Serdar Berdimuhamedow. The football club named after him plays their home games at Arkadag Stadium in a city built in his honor, complete with a gilded statue of Berdimuhamedow on horseback as its main landmark.
Despite their record-breaking run, FK Arkadag has struggled to attract crowds to their matches, with only around 200 spectators attending recent games. However, fans like Begench Mukhadov and civil servant Shageldy Soyunov remain loyal supporters of the team, praising their dynamic play and predicting more success in the future.
As FK Arkadag prepares to face their biggest challenge yet in the AFC Champions League 2, the team’s narrative of invincibility will be put to the test on a larger stage. While Turkmenistan has not been a footballing powerhouse internationally, officials hope that the success of FK Arkadag can inspire a turnaround for the national team and elevate the country’s standing in the football world.
Despite the challenges and scrutiny that come with being associated with the Berdimuhamedow regime, FK Arkadag remains focused on their goal of continued success on the football pitch, fueled by the support of their revered “Hero-Protector” Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow.