Tuesday, 29 September 2015
PM Attends Armenia National Olympic Committee 25th Anniversary Celebration
Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan attended an Armenia National Olympic Committee 25th anniversary-dedicated event, which was held at the National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater after Al. Spendiaryan.
Addressing the audience with congratulatory remarks, the Prime Minister stated in part, “Armenia's National Olympic Committee’s quarter-century anniversary is a significant event in Armenia’s sporting life. Starting its operations as far back as in the 90s of the last century, the ANOC gradually evolved and matured to become a well-developed structure as evidenced by this newly built luxurious Olympic Village with its comfortable stadiums and gymnasiums equipped with modern equipments.
By constantly advocating the noble ideas of the Olympic movement - solidarity, tolerance and fair play – the ANOC has gone a long way to achieve these goals.
Extending a special vote of thanks to National Olympic Committee President Gagik Tsarukyan for large-scale work and a caring attitude for the sphere, the Premier noted that Mr. Tsarukyan’s effort is a patriotic job. Hovik Abrahamyan added that owing to Mr. Tsarukyan’s efforts, Armenia’s National Olympic Committee is widely respected and recognized by the international Olympic community.
“A vivid evidence of what I said was International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach’s visit to our country last year, as well as the presence of National Olympic Committees Association President Sheikh Al-Sabah and European Olympic Committee President Patrick Hickey at today’s celebration. Tangible work has been done, and what we have today is very commendable,” Hovik Abrahamyan said.
The Prime Minister proudly emphasized that our small country boasts good winning traditions in sports, especially in Olympic Games. The Prime Minister noted that sport has a unique capacity of uniting the world’s nations and peoples, and our athletes’ every single achievement is perceived as a personal victory by the Armenians, which is a powerful factor of self-assertion and prestige in the international arena.
“Our athletes have had several occasions to make play Armenia’s national anthem around the world during international competitions. Glory and honor to those worthy people! We have had 13 Olympic champions so far. I am confident that next year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro will be marked by our athletes’ new victories, a pledge for which can be provided by their successful performance in world championships and other tournaments. We believe in them and wish them every success,” Hovik Abrahamyan said, wishing every success to the National Olympic Committee of Armenia for the benefit of sports development in Armenia.
In accordance with a presidential decree, for valuable contribution to the development of physical culture and sports, the Medal of Merit was awarded to NOC Secretary-General Hrachia Rostomyan, Greco-Roman wrestling Olympic champion Armen Nazaryan, Armenia shooting team head coach Seyran Nikoghosyan and Head of the Youth and Sports Policy Department of the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs Vaghinak Galstyan. The awards were handed over by Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamian.
