Media reports say Turkmenistan has made a song performed by its president the anthem of an international sports competition.

President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov reportedly performed the patriotic song on April 7 before an audience of international sports officials while unveiling an ice arena in Ashgabat.

The government daily Neutral Turkmenistan reported yesterday that a meeting of top government officials, lawmakers and cultural figures has decided to make it the official anthem of the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games set for September.

Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov has ruled Turkmenistan since late 2006 following the death of the first President of Turkmenistan Saparmurat Niyazov.