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Players of Ararat-73 honored in Yerevan
11:45 11.10.2013
President Serzh Sargsyan participated at the festive event dedicated
to the legendary Ararat-73 Armenian football team. At the gathering,
which was organized on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the
glorious victory of the team which in the season of 1973
simultaneously became the USSR champion and won the USSR Cup, the
President of Armenia awarded the veterans of the Ararat football team
with high state awards and distinctions for their considerable input
in the development of the Armenian football and brilliant
achievements, President's Press Office reported.
Serzh Sargsyan congratulated the awardees and in his remarks
underscored that Ararat team was one of the greatest achievements of
our nation not only in 1973 but throughout the 1970-s. `For our
nation, Ararat's glorious victories on the green field were not only
victories won in competitions but also a reflection of its collective
excellence. Ararat was our national pride, national dignity.
Certainly, Ararat was not just playing football: the guys were playing
football, but it was also politics. As we all know, unfortunately, in
Soviet years Armenia was not able to adequately present herself on the
international arena and Ararat through its football victories was
bringing Armenia out on the international arena and Armenia and the
Armenians were becoming even more recognizable. Ararat's victories,
Ararat's double victory I always compare to another great deed which
was accomplished by Tigran Petrossian: Becoming a world champion,
Tigran Petrossian made each Armenian family learn to play chess or at
least love the game. These guys did the same. Performance of our
today's team is also the result of the then victories. Ararat brought
inspiration to Armenia, to our nation and to every Armenian wherever
he lived - in Armenia or abroad, was very proud.
I remember very well year 1973; at that time, I was serving in the
Soviet Army, in remote Ural. Even now, I still become emotional, I
felt that the entire regiment was looking at me, pointing in my
direction and saying `Look, this guy's compatriots made that deed.'
Obviously, Armenia was in raptures. I said once that in recent 50 or
60 years, our nation has had only a few occasions to be really happy.
Probably the first was May 9 - victory in the Great Patriotic war,
then Tigran Petrossian's victory, then Ararat-73 and in modern times
it can be compared with the victory in Shushi, when our entire nation
spontaneously took to the streets and elated in the greatest victory
of its sons,' President Serzh Sargsyan said.
Speaking about the jubilation of 1970-s, the President recalled how
every child was trying to be like the Ararat-73 heroes.
According to Serzh Sargsyan, the Ararat team has its certain influence
also on today's national team which in the President's view is one of
best teams among the national football teams of the former USSR.
President Sargsyan urged that every Armenian, no matter where he or
she is, supports our national team because according to the President
it is not merely about the sport victories; it is much more than just
a victory.
On behalf of the Armenian nation and his own behalf, President
Sargsyan thanked the veterans of Ararat-73, wished them good health
and wished that they always stand by our team, our football players.
At the festive event organized by the Armenia's Football Federation
(AFF), the veterans of Ararat-73 were also greeted and congratulated
on the occasion of the glorious victory by the RA Minister of Sport
and Youth Issue Yuri Vardanian, President of AFF Ruben Hairapetian and
the Head Coach of the Armenian national football team Vardan
Minassian.
Minister Yuri Vardanian awarded a number of Ararat-73 players with the
RA Sport Master of International Class title, Distinguished Worker of
Physical Culture and Sport and awarded them with the Gold Medal of the
Ministry and commemorative medals. The President of the AFF handed
monetary awards to all veterans of Ararat-73.
http://www.armradio.am/en/2013/10/11/players-of-ararat-73-honored-in-yerevan/
11:45 11.10.2013
President Serzh Sargsyan participated at the festive event dedicated
to the legendary Ararat-73 Armenian football team. At the gathering,
which was organized on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the
glorious victory of the team which in the season of 1973
simultaneously became the USSR champion and won the USSR Cup, the
President of Armenia awarded the veterans of the Ararat football team
with high state awards and distinctions for their considerable input
in the development of the Armenian football and brilliant
achievements, President's Press Office reported.
Serzh Sargsyan congratulated the awardees and in his remarks
underscored that Ararat team was one of the greatest achievements of
our nation not only in 1973 but throughout the 1970-s. `For our
nation, Ararat's glorious victories on the green field were not only
victories won in competitions but also a reflection of its collective
excellence. Ararat was our national pride, national dignity.
Certainly, Ararat was not just playing football: the guys were playing
football, but it was also politics. As we all know, unfortunately, in
Soviet years Armenia was not able to adequately present herself on the
international arena and Ararat through its football victories was
bringing Armenia out on the international arena and Armenia and the
Armenians were becoming even more recognizable. Ararat's victories,
Ararat's double victory I always compare to another great deed which
was accomplished by Tigran Petrossian: Becoming a world champion,
Tigran Petrossian made each Armenian family learn to play chess or at
least love the game. These guys did the same. Performance of our
today's team is also the result of the then victories. Ararat brought
inspiration to Armenia, to our nation and to every Armenian wherever
he lived - in Armenia or abroad, was very proud.
I remember very well year 1973; at that time, I was serving in the
Soviet Army, in remote Ural. Even now, I still become emotional, I
felt that the entire regiment was looking at me, pointing in my
direction and saying `Look, this guy's compatriots made that deed.'
Obviously, Armenia was in raptures. I said once that in recent 50 or
60 years, our nation has had only a few occasions to be really happy.
Probably the first was May 9 - victory in the Great Patriotic war,
then Tigran Petrossian's victory, then Ararat-73 and in modern times
it can be compared with the victory in Shushi, when our entire nation
spontaneously took to the streets and elated in the greatest victory
of its sons,' President Serzh Sargsyan said.
Speaking about the jubilation of 1970-s, the President recalled how
every child was trying to be like the Ararat-73 heroes.
According to Serzh Sargsyan, the Ararat team has its certain influence
also on today's national team which in the President's view is one of
best teams among the national football teams of the former USSR.
President Sargsyan urged that every Armenian, no matter where he or
she is, supports our national team because according to the President
it is not merely about the sport victories; it is much more than just
a victory.
On behalf of the Armenian nation and his own behalf, President
Sargsyan thanked the veterans of Ararat-73, wished them good health
and wished that they always stand by our team, our football players.
At the festive event organized by the Armenia's Football Federation
(AFF), the veterans of Ararat-73 were also greeted and congratulated
on the occasion of the glorious victory by the RA Minister of Sport
and Youth Issue Yuri Vardanian, President of AFF Ruben Hairapetian and
the Head Coach of the Armenian national football team Vardan
Minassian.
Minister Yuri Vardanian awarded a number of Ararat-73 players with the
RA Sport Master of International Class title, Distinguished Worker of
Physical Culture and Sport and awarded them with the Gold Medal of the
Ministry and commemorative medals. The President of the AFF handed
monetary awards to all veterans of Ararat-73.
http://www.armradio.am/en/2013/10/11/players-of-ararat-73-honored-in-yerevan/