A series of test events are scheduled to take place in Ashgabat next month ©Ashgabat 2017

Ashgabat will face a major test in the build-up to September's Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games when three test events take place at the same time next month.

It was announced today that three regional competitions are due to be held at the end of April in the Ashgabat Olympic Complex as part of a Test Event Series.

The Asian Weightlifting Championships will take place between April 23 and 29 at the Weightlifting Arena.

A continental kickboxing event will be held at the Martial Arts Arena between April 26 and 30. 

Twenty countries are expected to compete across 27 male and 10 female categories.

“It is a great honour to have two Asian Championships taking place in the Ashgabat Olympic Complex," said Ashgabat 2017 Executive Committee chairman, Dayanch Gulgeldiyev.

"These are very prestigious events which will set the bar very high for the Games in September.

“This is the first time multiple venues will be operating simultaneously and it will be a great occasion for spectators to fully enjoy the Olympic Complex.”

A first ever Central Asian Short Course Swimming Tournament has also been scheduled for April 26 and 27 as the Indoor Aquatics Centre. 

Athletes from neighbouring Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Iran and Afghanistan will take on the best Turkmenistan talent across individual and relay events.

Three test events are due to take place in the Olympic Complex, pictured here in an artistic impression ©Ashgabat 2017
Three test events are due to take place in the Olympic Complex, pictured here in an artistic impression ©Ashgabat 2017

Tickets to all three events will be free of charge and will distributed at the Ashgabat 2017 Ticket Box Offices at Berkarar from April 7.

The Games will be the first multi-sport event hosted by Turkmenistan, with competition due to take place from September 17 to 27.

All 45 Asian National Olympic Committees and 17 from Oceania have been invited to compete at next year's Games in a special collaboration between the two continents.

Ashgabat was awarded the Games by the Olympic Council of Asia in 2010.

“Having major international events taking place in the Ashgabat Olympic Complex is extremely important to test operational readiness for the fifth Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games by simulating Games-time operations," added the event's chief operating officer, Mick Wright.

“Test events are not only a key part of operational planning for us to be ready to deliver the best ever Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, but they also represent a great opportunity for the people of Ashgabat to be able to see the Ashgabat Olympic Complex come to life. 

"I am sure that Inspiring Ashgabat, will do just that, inspire the country even further and create additional excitement ahead of Ashgabat 2017."