On August 5, at the initiative of the Supreme Body of the Scout Unit of Ararat Armenian Athletic Union (AAU) of New Julfa, the Union’s gym hosted the opening ceremony of the football championship dedicated to the memory of the five fighters of Lisbon. The event was organized by the executive committee composed of scouts.

In the beginning, national flags were brought into the hall, after which the attendees respected the memory of the five fighters with a moment of silence. Scout Vania Petrosian greeted the audience and delivered his opening remarks, after which Tangik Mirzakhanian read the message of the Supreme Body. The speeches were followed by the competition between the Ararat and Gandzasar groups.

Members of the Armenian National Committee, the Diocesan Council and the Central Council of Ararat Armenian Athletic Union and other Armenians respecting the memory of the five fighters honored the event with their presence. Let us remind that this competition is held annually in New Julfa with the participation of recreational football clubs comprising the young members of the community. For five days, the Ararat, Sardarapat, Gandzasar, Getashen and Vishap groups participated in the games, which ended on August 9.

To value and appreciate the participants of the championship, on August 11, during the ceremony organized on the occasion of Navasard Day, the participating referees were granted certificates of appreciation, and the Sardarapat and Ararat groups, which won first and second places, received gifts and certificates of appreciation that were granted by Chairperson of the Central Board of Ararat Armenian Athletic Union Masis Minasian, member of the Supreme Body of the Scout Unit Tangik Mirzakhanian and chairperson of the organizing committee Sepuh Vardanian.

The football committee participated in organizing the championship, and the referees were Melkon Keshishian, Karo Shahbazian and Edmond Baghdasarian. The members of the championship’s organizing committee were Sepuh Vardanyan, Masis Sirjanian, Narega Simonian, Shant Melkomian, Ruben Khosrovian and Lusin Hovsepian. Tangik Mirzakhanian was in charge of being in contact with the Supreme Body and the committee.

Respect and honor to the five fighters of Lisbon, including Vatche Daghlian, Ara Kerjlian, Simon Yahinian, Setrak Ajemian and Sarkis Abrahamian who, in 1983, laid their lives on the line, kept the Turkish Embassy in Lisbon besieged for three hours, bombed it and died under the ruins, letting the world know about the claims of the Armenians for a fair solution to the Armenian Cause.

Yeranoush Tahmazian

Correspondent for Ararat Armenian Athletic Union of New Julfa

Photos by Yeranoush Tahmazian