LOS ANGELES—While Homenetmen’s 41st Annual Navasartian Games began with basketball games during the weekend of May 21-22, 2016, the Navasartian organizing committee, appointed by the Homenetmen Regional Executive and headed by Vice-Chairperson Sako Garabedian, has been diligently preparing for months to organize the wide array of events that comprise the Navasartian Games, including tournaments, the victory banquet, four-day festival, and closing ceremony.
A meeting with Sako Garabedian helped reveal a closer look into the this year’s Navasartian Games, which the Homenetmen Regional Executive has decided to dedicate to the Republic of Artsakh with respect to the heroes, who sacrificed their lives to defend the frontlines and protect Artsakh’s independence.
The 41st Annual Navasartian Games’ official opening ceremony was held on March 13, 2016, during which Mr. & Mrs. Katcho and Araxie Achadjian were announced as the 2016 Honorary Presidents.
The Regional Athletic Council bears the responsibility of organizing the numerous tournaments associates with the Navasartian Games and multiple subcommittees exist to organize various events. Each subcommittee’s chairpersons comprise the Navasartian organizing committee as a whole and its members include:
- Cima Garabedian – Opening Ceremony
- Vahe Ohannessian – Festival
- Talar Kaloustian – Closing Ceremony
- Cima Garabedian – Victory Banquet
- Thomas Tokmajian – Accountant
- Raffi Zinzalian – Public Relations
- Regional Office – Booklet
- Soozi Minoyan – Festival Program
- Razmig Simonian – Entrance
- Vartkes Shekherdemian – Inventory Control
Tournaments will be held every weekend, culminating during the finals and festival weekend from June 30-July 3, 2016. Games will be held at Birmingham High School, Pacific Community Center, and the Ararat, Massis and Sipan Chapter athletic gyms.
Navasartian’s four-day festival will begin on Thursday, June 30, 2016 at 4 pm and will continue until the evening of Sunday, July 3rd at Birmingham High School. Numerous talented artists will perform throughout the festival and Homenetmen chapters will be responsible for the food booths.
The Victory Banquet will be held on Friday, June 25, 2016 at the Universal Sheraton Hotel, where Honorary Presidents of the 2015 Navasartian Games, Mr. & Mrs. Varant and Hoori Melkonian, will officially transfer the title to the 2016 Honorary Presidents Katcho and Araxie Achadjian. The same evening will also honor the 2016 Exemplary Homenetmen Member Koko Megerian.
Navasartian’s closing ceremony will be held on Sunday, July 3, 2016 at 6:30 pm at Birmingham High School. Homenetmen scouts and athletes will march throughout the field and victory trophies will be distributed. Entrance fees are $10 per person.
At the meeting’s end, Garabedian extended appreciation to the countless volunteers, donors, sponsors, and supporters that ensure the success of the Navasartian Games.
Source: Asbarez
Link: A Look into the 2016 Navasartian Games