On Saturday, May 25, the AGBU-Armenian Youth Association (AYA), under the patronage of the AGBU District Committee of Lebanon, inaugurated its newly renovated football field, in a “Youth Festival”.

The celebration was attended by many distinguished guests including Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Lebanon HE Vahagn Atabekyan, AGBU Lebanon President Gerard Tufenkjian and members of the District Committee, benefactors Sarkis Demirdjian and Arthur Nazarian, supporters Yercho Samuelian and Nar Khatchadourian, chairman of AGBU-AYA Vicken Tchertchian and members of the Central Committee, Primate of the Armenians in Lebanon HE Archbishop Nareg Aliemezian, Primate of the Armenian Catholic Church Pere  Georges Assadourian, Representative of the Armenian Evangelical Church Rev. Raffi Messerlian, Minister of Social Affairs Richard Kouyoumjian, MPs Jean Talouzian, Hagop Pakradouni, Georges Raeisi and Hagop Terzian, former members of the parliament Jean Oghassabian, Vrej Sabounjian, Shahe Barsoumian, other members of the sports’ unions, military, Lebanese and Armenian political parties, and municipal representatives.

In presence of more than 1500 attendees, Araxy Gebenlian, the coordinator of the AGBU-AYA office and Wadeeh AbdelNour, the sports correspondent of the Antranik, presented the participants. the AGBU-AYA Scouts marched along with the scouts marching band, sports teams and cultural and youth groups. “The “Youth Festival” to celebrate the inauguration of AGBU-AYA football field was a day of pride and glory not just to the AGBU family but also to Armenians and to all Lebanese. Our marching band led over 1000 young scouts, students of AGBU schools, gymnasts, Arine Dance group, Taekwondo club members and members of many AGBU-AYA cultural groups in a parade on the grounds of recently built football field… The bar was set very high… All who were present, over a thousand, lived emotional and pleasant moments of admiring our youth, our future generations, whose marching steps echoed their great determination to make AGBU-AYA’s future even more powerful and prosperous, once again reminding everyone present “In Unity is Strength”, mentions Sylva Libaridian, Secretary of the AGBU Lebanon District Committee.

During the celebration, the AGBU-AYA Marching Band played the Lebanese, Armenian, AGBU, and AYA anthems and a video summarizing the history of the AGBU-AYA was played for the guests. The main speakers were AGBU-AYA Central Committee Chairman Vicken Tchertchian and Central Committee Member Ara Dakessian, who both emphasized the important role played by the AGBU-AYA in the life of the Armenian youth. “On the Inauguration Day of the new AGBU-AYA football court, the AYA has once again proven, with the manifestation of its diverse activities that it is still the leading association with high standards in the cultural, athletic fields on the Lebanese level in general and Armenian in particular. Through generations AYA continues to prepare well rounded and self-disciplined youth to become the future leaders”, says Arda Yanikian, AGBU Lebanon District Committee member and the Education Liaison. While Gary Nazarian, member of both the AGBU Lebanon District and AGBU-AYA Central Committees, mentions “Having a vital mission towards our community; AGBU-AYA proves once again that in “Unity is Strength”!! with our core values of integrity, community service, and equality we set the bar high for what scouts, sports, and cultural clubs should be like. With a history and track record spanning 113 years, we will continue to play an integral part in nurturing and developing Lebanese society. Under the guidance and leadership of today’s decision-makers, AGBU-AYA strives to create the leaders and decision makers of tomorrow.”

The event also featured performances by the students of AGBU Schools, gymnasts, taekwondo black belt athletes, the football academy and the Arine Dance Group.

“The competitive angle that sport conveys has the invaluable power of bringing a community together. I am very excited to see the positive outcome of our brand new amenities to our Armenian circle and our youth”, concludes District committee member Taline Demirdjian Bachian.

The AYA was founded in 1931, as a way to promote national cohesion through cultural, sports, scouting and social activities.