International34th Navasartian Games break all-time attendance record
Three chapters sweep top rankings
Published: Friday July 10, 2009
The Homenetmen Glendale Ararat Chapter placed first in basketball at the 34th annual Navasartian Games. Shown here is the women's team. Helena Gregorian
Los Angeles - The Homenetmen Glendale Ararat Chapter placed first in basketball, tennis, and table tennis, the San Fernando Valley Massis Chapter ranked first in swimming, volleyball, and track, and the Los Angeles chapter came first in soccer as the 34th Navasartian Games came to a frenzied and excited conclusion on Sunday, July 5.
Armenian-Americans from across the Golden State and neighboring states once again made the festivities the largest annual gathering of the community. Organizers reported that attendance at the Homenetmen-sponsored event surpassed last year's record of 30,000.
Rather than suffering from the economic crisis, the games benefited from it, organizers said. "Many families opted to be financially prudent by not traveling far, ‘staycationing' instead, and they came in droves to partake in this year's Navasartian Games, with smiles on everyone's faces," said Steve Artinian, chairperson of the Homenetmen Western Region.
No fewer than 2,795 athletes participated in the games, which started back in May. Competing were 234 basketball teams, 34 soccer teams, and eight volleyball teams, along with 56 swimmers, 93 track athletes, 47 table tennis players, 43 aspiring Andre Agassis on the tennis courts, and 27 aspiring Levon Aronians at the chess boards.
The playoffs were hotly contested during the Fourth of July weekend, as the teams sought to make it to the finals. Entering the weekend, the soccer, swimming, tennis, table tennis, track-and-field, and basketball trophies were up for grabs.
Focus on entertainment
But the focus was not exclusively on the athletes. The popular singer Karnig Sarkissian was closing up the games with a concert on Sunday night, even as the basketball final was taking place. The results came in close to midnight.
The weekend featured concerts by the ever-popular Harout Pamboukjian, Gor Mkhitarian, and Joseph Krikorian.
Children were entertained – and kept out of trouble – by the talented Hoy Lari, as well as a dunk tank and other activities.
For many immigrants from Armenia, a party without fireworks is like a movie without popcorn, or perhaps a baseball game without hot dogs. And this being the Fourth of July weekend, the expectation of glorious fireworks was shared by all. "The crowds' expectations were met," organizers report.
On hand too were numerous vendors, offering eye-catching products, and a food court with plenty of food to satisfy every palate, along with coffee and other beverages, desserts, and more.
Pomp and circumstance
Time passed quickly, and it was Sunday afternoon, time for the traditional parade. Homenetmen's "Fanfar" band took the lead, but not before Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, offered his words of wisdom and blessings on this "Year of the Youth."
Athletes from Homenetmen Australia added a breath of fresh air, parading in traditional Aussie hats. They were joined by uniformed and smart-looking scouts and athletes, as well as executive committee members.
As thousands paraded around the stadium, a blast of confetti was shot through the air, giving the Navasartian Games an appropriate send-off, and setting the right mood for the attendees to flock to the festival area for a last hurrah before the final closure of the Navasartian Games.
At 91, Homenetmen sought to prove that it had withstood the test of time. It demonstrated once again its success in bringing together thousands of young Armenian-Americans from a range of backgrounds, helping them develop healthy minds and bodies, along with a commitment to community and volunteerism.
