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CELEBRATING ARMENIAN HERITAGE THROUGH SPORTS
Talal Ansari
Los Angeles Daily News
07/06/2009 02:09:19 AM PDT
Armineh Ghazarin, left, and Jerry Miskjian compete in a chess match at
the the Homenetmen Navasartian Games at Birmingham High School, Sunday,
July 5, 2009. This showcase event organized by Homenetmen Western USA
are the Navasartian Games. Launched in East Los Angeles in 1975, now
it boasts the participation of 300 teams, 6,000 athletes, 2000 scouts
and attracts over 35,000 spectators over a period of eight weeks each
year. The games culminate on the weekend of the Fourth of July, with
a festival and a closing ceremony featuring the family of Homenetmen
athletes, scouts, parents and volunteers from the 17 chapters in
the Western US. With the participation of over 50 local businesses
and organizations in the food and games booths of the festival,
the Navasartian Games are more than just a Homenetmen event. The
activities are geared towards keeping the youth away from negative
influences. (Michael Owen Baker/staff photographer) This is Vartan
Amayakyan's 10th year playing in the Navasartian Games and Festival,
a multi-sport tournament for the Armenian-American community that
ended Sunday.
Dribbling his basketball on the sidelines of the court, Amayakyan
warms up for a playoff game just minutes away. With sweat on his brow,
he pretends to shoot, tossing the ball up in the air. On his shiny
red jersey reads Massis. For Armenians, it is the name of a revered
mountain that is featured on the country's Coat of Arms.
"These games are about bringing our community together and keeping
kids out of trouble," says the 27-year-old Glendale resident.
Launched in East Los Angeles in 1975, the eight-week tournament
brings together more than 300 teams and 6,000 athletes to compete
in a variety of sports, from swimming and basketball to soccer and
tennis. There is even a chess tournament.
All of the activities are geared toward keeping the youths away from
negative influences, but the tournament also serves as an opportunity
to showcase and celebrate Armenian culture.
Steve Artinian first attended the festival as a youth. Now 49, he
is chairman of the Western Division of the Armenian General Athletic
Union and Scouts, better known as Homenetmen, which holds the annual
games. Artinian recalls how the games have evolved over the years.
"It started as a purely athletic event to guide kids in the right
direction through sportsmanship," said the Glendale resident.
"Now the festival plays another major role - it's an opportunity
to celebrate our Armenian heritage while also celebrating America's
independence."
Ara Assilian, a vendor at the festival, is of Armenian descent,
though he came here from Lebanon in 1970. Assilian usually sells
garments to shops in the airport, but recently decided to give the
Armenian market a try.
"This is my first time here as a vendor and I thought, hey, why not
market to my own community? Things are going well so far, and I'm
glad I did," Assilian said.
T-shirts bearing the Armenian Coat of Arms adorned his booth. Another
item for sale was a baby bib that reads "yavrig", an Armenian term
of endearment that roughly translates to sweetheart.
During the festivities, held at Birmingham High School in Van Nuys and
several other regional sites, attendees could enjoy food, musical
performances and fireworks in addition to various championship
games. Athletes, scouts, parents and volunteers participate in an
Olympic-style closing ceremony and parade that marks the end of the
Navasartian Games.
Nareg Zomdjian rested with his teammates in the shade after winning
their basketball playoff game. For the 14-year-old, the Navasartian
games are not just a platform to showcase his basketball skills;
they are a time to meet with his friends and community at-large.
"Being here is fun," he said. "I think it's great how all of us
come together."
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Talal Ansari
Los Angeles Daily News
07/06/2009 02:09:19 AM PDT
Armineh Ghazarin, left, and Jerry Miskjian compete in a chess match at
the the Homenetmen Navasartian Games at Birmingham High School, Sunday,
July 5, 2009. This showcase event organized by Homenetmen Western USA
are the Navasartian Games. Launched in East Los Angeles in 1975, now
it boasts the participation of 300 teams, 6,000 athletes, 2000 scouts
and attracts over 35,000 spectators over a period of eight weeks each
year. The games culminate on the weekend of the Fourth of July, with
a festival and a closing ceremony featuring the family of Homenetmen
athletes, scouts, parents and volunteers from the 17 chapters in
the Western US. With the participation of over 50 local businesses
and organizations in the food and games booths of the festival,
the Navasartian Games are more than just a Homenetmen event. The
activities are geared towards keeping the youth away from negative
influences. (Michael Owen Baker/staff photographer) This is Vartan
Amayakyan's 10th year playing in the Navasartian Games and Festival,
a multi-sport tournament for the Armenian-American community that
ended Sunday.
Dribbling his basketball on the sidelines of the court, Amayakyan
warms up for a playoff game just minutes away. With sweat on his brow,
he pretends to shoot, tossing the ball up in the air. On his shiny
red jersey reads Massis. For Armenians, it is the name of a revered
mountain that is featured on the country's Coat of Arms.
"These games are about bringing our community together and keeping
kids out of trouble," says the 27-year-old Glendale resident.
Launched in East Los Angeles in 1975, the eight-week tournament
brings together more than 300 teams and 6,000 athletes to compete
in a variety of sports, from swimming and basketball to soccer and
tennis. There is even a chess tournament.
All of the activities are geared toward keeping the youths away from
negative influences, but the tournament also serves as an opportunity
to showcase and celebrate Armenian culture.
Steve Artinian first attended the festival as a youth. Now 49, he
is chairman of the Western Division of the Armenian General Athletic
Union and Scouts, better known as Homenetmen, which holds the annual
games. Artinian recalls how the games have evolved over the years.
"It started as a purely athletic event to guide kids in the right
direction through sportsmanship," said the Glendale resident.
"Now the festival plays another major role - it's an opportunity
to celebrate our Armenian heritage while also celebrating America's
independence."
Ara Assilian, a vendor at the festival, is of Armenian descent,
though he came here from Lebanon in 1970. Assilian usually sells
garments to shops in the airport, but recently decided to give the
Armenian market a try.
"This is my first time here as a vendor and I thought, hey, why not
market to my own community? Things are going well so far, and I'm
glad I did," Assilian said.
T-shirts bearing the Armenian Coat of Arms adorned his booth. Another
item for sale was a baby bib that reads "yavrig", an Armenian term
of endearment that roughly translates to sweetheart.
During the festivities, held at Birmingham High School in Van Nuys and
several other regional sites, attendees could enjoy food, musical
performances and fireworks in addition to various championship
games. Athletes, scouts, parents and volunteers participate in an
Olympic-style closing ceremony and parade that marks the end of the
Navasartian Games.
Nareg Zomdjian rested with his teammates in the shade after winning
their basketball playoff game. For the 14-year-old, the Navasartian
games are not just a platform to showcase his basketball skills;
they are a time to meet with his friends and community at-large.
"Being here is fun," he said. "I think it's great how all of us
come together."
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress