Mardigian Sports Games Inspire Healthy Lifestyles in Cross-Border Region

More than 150 high school students from 26 schools across the Noyemberyan and Ijevan regions took part in the Mardigian Sports Games, a mock Olympics event supported by FAR and held since 2018 in Armenia’s cross-border Tavush province. This year’s games, held on October 11–12, once again filled the communities with energy, excitement, and a sense of unity, as students competed in six athletic disciplines, from the 60-meter dash and standing long jump to pull-ups, barbell lifts, ab presses, etc. 

“It was the first time such a large-scale sports event took place in our region, and it truly brought our schools to life. Every moment was full of energy and excitement, and the competitive spirit among students and teachers was inspiring. I hope this becomes a lasting tradition, and that next year more schools will join us in this powerful experience,” said 17-year-old Arthur Hakhverdyan from Koti village, a bronze medal champion in arm wrestling across Armenia and gold medal winner in the Mardigian Sports Games.

As Eduard Karapetyan, FAR Education and Science Programs Director, noted the tournament wasn’t just about winning: it was about pushing limits and building friendships. “Such tournaments have a truly positive impact on promoting healthy lifestyles among schoolchildren. Considering that high schoolers have only two hours of physical classes per week, the Mardigian Olympics serve as a strong incentive for children and young people, making their daily routine more active, motivating them, and nurturing both a competitive spirit and a sense of teamwork. Seeing the enthusiasm and dedication of the participants, I can certainly say that we’ve taken another important step towards inspiring our youth to love sports and make them a part of their lives.” 

While the gold medals went to the Noyemberyan Gymnasium and Ijevan’s Azatamut Secondary School teams, FAR rewarded all the winning groups with sports equipment and accessories to help them stay motivated and continue training until the next Olympics.

Congratulations to everyone, winners and participants alike! Together, we can make the Mardigian Sports Games a yearly celebration for cross border schoolchildren by donating to FAR today.