The official uniforms for the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat have been unveiled ©Ashgabat 2017

The official uniforms for the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) in Ashgabat have been unveiled during a colourful ceremony at the Organising Committee’s headquarters.

The uniforms, which come in six colours, were unveiled as part of a fashion show involving Ashgabat 2017 staff members.

Staff were cheered on as they walked the runway displaying their new attire.

The uniform base colours were developed from the Ashgabat 2017 brand - karakum yellow, Turkmen green, caspian blue, injir purple, feroza green and keteni red.

The colours will differentiate between workforce, volunteers and technical officials.

"We've moved one step closer to Ashgabat 2017 with the official release of the Games-time uniforms," Dayanch Gulgeldiyev, chairman of the fifth AIMAG Executive Committee, said.

"We have paid great attention to detail to ensure they reflect the Games spirit.

"I hope that when officials and volunteers proudly wear their uniforms they’ll get a sense of the glorious period our country is passing through.

"I congratulate everyone who worked for the successful delivery of these beautiful uniforms."

Ashgabat 2017 commercial director Donna Taylor, who leads the team that designed the uniforms, elaborated on the creative process behind the uniform range.

"The uniforms were developed using ornamental elements taken from the Ashgabat 2017 brand," she said.

"The design inspiration came from traditional Turkmen clothing, where the embroidered patterns represented the different regions or tribes.

"The uniforms' patterns are bold and strong, whilst maintaining traditional intricate ornamental designs."

Ashgabat is set to host the fifth edition of the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games ©Ashgabat 2017
Ashgabat is set to host the fifth edition of the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games ©Ashgabat 2017

Two types of uniforms, formal and casual, have been designed with all of them displaying the Ashgabat 2017 name.

Casual uniforms consist of a short sleeve polo shirt with a button front placket and flat knit collar, and come in a male and a female fit. 

Cargo-style trousers, which feature multi pockets and elasticated waistbands, offer a zip-off feature at the knee that can convert them into shorts.

The casual jacket has a full front zipper made from a lightweight breathable polycotton blend.

A baseball cap and waist bag for storage of essential items complete the casual uniform.

Formal uniforms will consist of specially-designed suits for both men and women.

The men’s suits will have a single-breasted, two-button jacket with a patterned lining and embroidered detail on the pockets.

While male participants will receive traditional trousers with a fly-front and button closure, females will get a full-length skirt with embroidered detail on the waistband.

For men, a neck tie with embroidery will be provided, while women will receive a neck scarf featuring an ornamental pattern.

The 8,000-strong programme of volunteers, known as First Stars, will each receive a colourful casual kit.

It is claimed their uniforms, with karakum yellow as a base colour and patterns of injir purple and keteni red splashed across them, will be vibrant and stand out from the crowd.

Sharon McMichael, director of human resources, workforce and accreditation at Ashgabat 2017, said it was a proud moment for the country's flourishing textile industry.

"While Ashgabat 2017 is sure to leave a lasting legacy for Turkmen sports, what's equally impressive is that the country was fully self-reliant in creating the uniforms for thousands of people," she added.

"Local production companies in Gokdepe, Turkmenbashi, Gypjak, Ahal and Ruhabat were pressed into action and they did a thoroughly professional job.

"It's a proud achievement for the Turkmen Ministry of Textiles."

Ashgabat 2017 is set to feature 21 sports in 15 venues over 12 days of competition, from September 16 to 27. 

Turkmenistan’s capital was awarded the Games by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) in 2010.

The fifth AIMAG Executive Committee will organise and run the Games in cooperation with the OCA.