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25
03, 2011
President Sargsyan received the legendary football player Nikita Simonian
Today, President Sargsyan received the legendary football player, multiple winner of the USSR tournaments and Olympic Games, FIFA, UEFA and International Olympic Committee Gold Medal recipient, Designated Coach Nikita Simonian. Under his leadership in 1973 “Ararat” football team won the Cup and the USSR Championship.
The President of Armenia welcomed our renowned compatriot in Yerevan and noted that through the decades the entire Armenian nation has been proud of him.
“I am happy to see that you’re well and sound and continue to work for the benefit of football. We take pride in our compatriots in Spyurk and first of all in those who have reached prominence in their area. You make our nation even more recognizable. Thank you,” said President of Armenia at the meeting with the celebrated football player.
By the Presidential decree, Nikita Simonian has been awarded the Order of Honor for his activities aimed at the strengthening of the Armenian-Russian friendship, also for his considerable contribution to the development of the Armenian football, and for the years-long service in the area of football. At today’s meeting, President Sargsyan handed the award to the great athlete, wishing him good health and great success.
“I am greatly honored to receive this high award. As you know, I am a hundred percent Armenian. My parents, Armenians from Ardvin, escaped the Genocide. My father was a great patriot. I was greatly honored to lead “Ararat” team in 1973. And it was a pure joy for me as the coach of the team, when the boys won the Cup and became champions. It’s hard to describe how people reacted at that time. It was really a wonderful team. I am grateful to that generation, and of course, to our entire nation for that, and I bow to you,” Nikita Simonian said.
President Sargsyan noted that he too recalls the rapture of our people in those days. “My memory holds three events that brought such rapture: First, when Tigran Petrossian became the world champion. Second, when in 1973, “Ararat” won the Cup and became the USSR champion, and the third, when Shushi was liberated on May 9. So, one of these events is co-authored by you. That victory was a great event indeed and achievement not only in terms of sport,” President Sargsyan said.
The President of Armenia welcomed our renowned compatriot in Yerevan and noted that through the decades the entire Armenian nation has been proud of him.
“I am happy to see that you’re well and sound and continue to work for the benefit of football. We take pride in our compatriots in Spyurk and first of all in those who have reached prominence in their area. You make our nation even more recognizable. Thank you,” said President of Armenia at the meeting with the celebrated football player.
By the Presidential decree, Nikita Simonian has been awarded the Order of Honor for his activities aimed at the strengthening of the Armenian-Russian friendship, also for his considerable contribution to the development of the Armenian football, and for the years-long service in the area of football. At today’s meeting, President Sargsyan handed the award to the great athlete, wishing him good health and great success.
“I am greatly honored to receive this high award. As you know, I am a hundred percent Armenian. My parents, Armenians from Ardvin, escaped the Genocide. My father was a great patriot. I was greatly honored to lead “Ararat” team in 1973. And it was a pure joy for me as the coach of the team, when the boys won the Cup and became champions. It’s hard to describe how people reacted at that time. It was really a wonderful team. I am grateful to that generation, and of course, to our entire nation for that, and I bow to you,” Nikita Simonian said.
President Sargsyan noted that he too recalls the rapture of our people in those days. “My memory holds three events that brought such rapture: First, when Tigran Petrossian became the world champion. Second, when in 1973, “Ararat” won the Cup and became the USSR champion, and the third, when Shushi was liberated on May 9. So, one of these events is co-authored by you. That victory was a great event indeed and achievement not only in terms of sport,” President Sargsyan said.