ArmInfo.The development of sports has a strategic meaning for Armenia. This was announced on February 21 by Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan at the awarding ceremony of the best athletes of 2019.
The Prime Minister informed that in the development strategy of the country until 2050, a special place is given to the sports sector. According to him, before the indicated period it is necessary to take the necessary steps in order to have at least 25 Olympic champions in Armenia. As noted, the development of great sport is of particular importance for the republic, given the fact that the victories of Armenian athletes increase self-confidence among the peoples of Armenia and Artsakh. " I see the role of our champions to serve as exemplary figures for the youth, inspire trust towards their own strengths and show how diligence, the ability to work with the team can help to achieve highest results," he emphasized.
Noting that a true champion is not born, but made, Pashinyan noted the importance of developing appropriate infrastructures and sports schools in Armenia. Pointing out that the Government pays special attention to these issues, the Prime Minister recalled that last year it was decided to purchase sports equipment in an amount equal to the general indicators for the last 4-5 years.
Within the framework of the awarding ceremony, the order "For Merit to the Fatherland of the First Degree" was awarded to the legendary fighter, two-time Olympic champion Armen Nazaryan. The titles of the best athletes of 2019 were awarded to Arthur Aleksanyan (Greco-Roman wrestling), Ruben Aleksanyan (weightlifting), Arthur Avetisyan (gymnastics), Hovhannes Bachkov (boxing), Slavik Galstyan (Greco- Roman wrestling), Gor Minasyan (weightlifting) , Hakob Mkrtchyan (weightlifting), Simon Martirosyan (weightlifting), Arsen Harutyunyan (freestyle wrestling), Tigran Kirakosyan (sambo). The title was awarded to Armen Mkrtchyan, Garnik Aleksanyan, Karen Karapetyan, Arshak Karapetyan and Karen Baghdasaryan.
It should be reminded that AMD 50 million will be allocated from the Reserve Fund of the Government to award the top ten athletes of Armenia. Thus, each nominee will receive 5 million drams. We add that by a government decision for the first place at the 2020 Olympics in Japan, the amount of the premium will be 20 million drams, for the second - 15 million drams and for the third - 10 million drams. In addition, for the winners of the World Championships and the Olympic Games this year, the monthly lifetime pension has almost doubled. For world champions it will be 100 thousand drams, for Olympic champions - 200 thousand drams.