The official opening ceremony the Turkic Council First University Sports Games was held on 6 April 2018 at the Baku Sports Palace, with the participation of the Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan Mr. Azad Rahimov, Turkic Council Secretary General Ambassador Ramil Hasanov, Ambassadors of the Member States in Baku, the members of the diplomatic missions in Baku, University Rectors, Heads of Federation Sports of the Member States, Secretary General of TURKPA, President of Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, as well as other guests and many audience.
During the opening ceremony of the games which is organized to bring young people of countries with common history, civilization and cultural heritage together through the unifying power of sport, scenes of common history, civilization and cultural heritage were staged.
Subsequently, Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan Azad Rahimov and Turkic Council Secretary General Ambassador Ramil Hasanov delivered their opening speeches. The opening ceremony of the First University Games of the Turkic Council was completed with the final encounter of the wrestling games and the medal ceremony. Medal of winners were presented by protocol guests. The opening ceremony was broadcasted live on Azerbaijan Sports Television.
Turkic Council Deputy Secretary General Ömer Kocaman, Project Directors Ali Çiviler, Assan Mazhitov, Jıldız Uzakova, Pelin Musabay Baki, Farid Damirli, Hatice Özge Pan, Janar Nugumanova, Deputy Chief of Protocol Araz Salmanov and Research Expert Dastan Almen were also present at the opening ceremony.
Organized in 7 different sports branches, approximately 400 university athletes and coaches from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey attend the event. The closing ceremony of the games will be held on 9 April 2018.