The European Volleyball Championship for Boys Under 16 will kick off in Yerevan on July 23. Ahead of the tournament, the Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of the Republic of Armenia, Zhanna Andreasyan, and the Secretary General of the Volleyball Federation of Armenia, Karen Asmaryan, presented the preparatory process for the championship at a press conference.
Speaking about the fourth international tournament of this year, Zhanna Andreasyan emphasized that the teams had gone through quite a serious competition before arriving in Yerevan. The strongest teams will arrive in Armenia.
“We have a lot of exciting days ahead of us. The Federation has made great efforts to bring this championship to Armenia and hold it in the best possible way. I am sure the tournament will also contribute to increasing interest in volleyball. The possibility of forming a “School Volleyball League” is being discussed with the Federation, since one of the best ways to promote sports is to popularize sports among schoolchildren,” noted Zhanna Andreasyan, emphasizing that the state continuous policy for the development of sports is enshrined in the Strategy of the Physical Culture and Sports Sectors of the Republic of Armenia for 2024–2030.
Delegations from France, Poland, Italy, Hungary, Latvia, the Czech Republic, Turkey, Bulgaria, Spain, Ukraine, Austria, Greece, Serbia, Slovenia, and Romania will participate in the European Volleyball Championship for Boys Under 16. The championship is expected to involve about 500 athletes and 60 matches and will be held at the Gazprom Armenia Educational and Sports Complex and the Russian-Armenian University gymnasium.
According to the Minister of Sports, about 130 million drams have been allocated from the state budget to hold the championship properly, the necessary property has been purchased, and the gymnasiums have been appropriately furnished.
Zhanna Andreasyan emphasized that improving sports infrastructure is an essential direction of sports development policy. More than 100 sports infrastructures are being built and reconstructed in many places. In addition, school gyms must be constructed and reconstructed to be equipped separately for volleyball. All this together creates conditions for the popularization of the sport.”
Wishing the Armenian U-16 boys’ national team success and victorious performances, Zhanna Andreasyan also emphasized the importance of fans’ support and invited them to attend the upcoming matches.
“In recent years, the Government has pursued an active policy of hosting major international sports tournaments in Armenia. This allows Armenia to increase its visibility on the sports map, which is very important. To achieve success in sports, the country must be able to participate in various tournaments and organize and hold them. This also gives athletes additional confidence,” said Zhanna Andreasyan.
The Minister of Sports, Youth and Sports emphasized the increase in Armenia's recognition and the development and popularization of sports as essential influences.
"Our ambitions in team sports, including volleyball, are high. Let's make consistent efforts and carry out competent work. I think there will be results," the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs noted, emphasizing that work is being done to hold volleyball tournaments at the "Mika" sports complex under the jurisdiction of the Sports Management Center.
Zhanna Andreasyan expressed confidence that the first initiative, jointly with the International Volleyball Federation, will become a good precedent for organizing more international events in Armenia.
Secretary General of the Volleyball Federation of Armenia Karen Asmaryan also emphasized the importance of hosting such a tournament in Armenia.
“It is a great honor that Armenia hosts such a major volleyball tournament. Previously, we have held several international tournaments, including the championships of Eastern European countries. After holding these tournaments at a high level, in 2021, we decided to submit a bid for the European Championship. In 2022, our bid was approved,” Karen Asmaryan said.
According to the Secretary General of the Volleyball Federation of Armenia, the under-16 team was formed about six months ago and is undergoing a complete preparatory phase.
“We have a team that is ready for a big fight. We have expectations. The goal is to take up to 5th place, as this will allow us to participate in the 2026 European Championship. The Armenian national team was formed in January. We have a high-quality coach from Russia, who has made the team competitive quickly. We have prepared for the European Championship in several stages. We have had training camps and friendly matches. We believe that the boys can achieve the desired result," said Karen Asmaryan.
The European Volleyball Championship for Under-16s will be held from July 23 to August 3.
