YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS. The “Ra Prime Minister’s Cup” amateur swimming tournament was held for the third year in a row in the beach area of Lake Sevan in Shoghakat settlement (former Shorzha) of Chambarak community, Gegharkunik marz, RA. The only restriction was that the participants should not be included in the international swimming scale and should not have participated in Armenian championships and international tournaments in the last five years.
“Armenpress”the amateur swimming tournament was held on the shore of Lake Sevan in two age groups for women and men: 18 to 40 years old and over 40 years old (total number of 137 participants, 52 of them women). Swimmers from all regions of RA participated in the tournament. Nevertheless, athletes from Yerevan dominated among them.
Women covered 1000 meters and men 1500 meters. In order to encourage the participants, cash prizes were also set for the first to 10th place winners in both age groups. Accordingly, 1st place – 1,000,000, 2nd place – 500,000, 3rd place – 300,000, 4th place – 100,000, 5-10th place – 50,000 AMD. Taxes, duties and mandatory fees are not included.
Incentive prizes were also established for the oldest male and female participants of the tournament. The oldest female participant, 81-year-old Elizaveta Vardanyan, informed that she has been involved in sports since the 9th grade and always pays great attention to a healthy lifestyle, because sports are one of the most important keys to longevity. According to him, such events are exciting and find great response among amateur swimmers. The oldest male athlete, 83-year-old Hakob Tutunjian, who came to participate in the tournament with youthful enthusiasm, agreed with him.
Speaking about the event, KGS Deputy Minister Karen Giloyan noted that the tournament has already been held, the number of participants is increasing year by year.
“We did not allow 19 people to participate in the tournament, because they are active swimming coaches, and the tournament is amateur. In order for the competition to be fair and correct, the Armenian Swimming Federation has decided not to allow current coaches to participate in this competition. Thanks to the purposeful work of the Swimming Federation, the number of participants is gradually increasing. According to the government’s decision, we are implementing a swimming pool construction project in Armenia. When it is fully implemented, in a few years the number of participants of this traditional tournament will multiply several times. Swimming is increasingly becoming a mass sport in our country. Although the geography of the participants of the tournament is not so big and the participants are mostly from the settlements where there are water pools and swimming pools, but with the implementation of the above-mentioned project, this problem will be solved, and we will see a bigger crowd on the banks of Sevan every year,” said Giloyan.
According to the deputy minister of KGSMS, a mandatory election round is also organized for the participants. The Swimming Federation strictly checks their physical abilities and health, because swimming in open water in Sevan is not so easy.
There was definitely a festive atmosphere on the beach. If many did not dare to enter the water, at least they came with great interest to understand what is happening around them in order to take steps to participate in the tournament in the future.
Anahit Barseghyan took the first place in the women’s tournament aged 18 to 40, Kira Amaeva took the second place, Ani Avetisyan took the third place. Srbuhi Vardanyan won the women’s tournament over 40 years old, Yulia Mikheeva took the second place, and Ruzanna Hovasapyan took the third place. Mkrtich Oskanyan took the first place in the men’s tournament between 18 and 40 years old, Karen Yeranosyan took the second place, and Shahen Khondkaryan took the third place. Andranik Khachatryan won the tournament for men over 40 years old, Armen Hanesoghlyan took the second place, and Raymond Hakobyan took the third place.
RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was also present at the tournament. Emphasizing the role of grassroots sports in public life, he congratulated all the participants and personally awarded the winners at the end.
