Pictures. Prime Minister Meets with Armenian National Football Team Players

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, accompanied by the President of the Football Federation of Armenia, Arthur Vanetsyan, visited the Ararat Football Academy. The Prime Minister toured the academy, familiarizing himself with the conditions and existing infrastructure.

The leaders of the Football Federation presented Pashinyan with the ongoing and upcoming programs for football development in the country.

Following this, the head of the government met with the coaching staff and players of the Armenian national football team, who are preparing for the March 26 match against Finland at the Republican Stadium in Yerevan, as part of the Euro 2020 qualifying round.

Team captain Henrikh Mkhitaryan presented the Prime Minister with the team's jersey and a ball signed by the players.

Addessing those present, Nikol Pashinyan noted: “Dear coaches, players of the Armenian national team, and representatives of the federation, it is a happy occasion for me to meet in such a format and I think there is no need to say how important football is for all of us, the opportunities it can create for us through football.”

“We just discussed the prospects for football development in Armenia. The core of our discussion was the idea that through football, one can change the entire content of public life and relations, even alter people's self-awareness and self-esteem as citizens and as a community. Of course, football can also change the mood of the country and society.”

“Honestly, I consider sports in general, and football primarily as the most popular sport, to be very important for this reason. Of course, the Armenian national team has special significance in this regard, and the leadership of this process essentially falls on the national team and its players.”

“Throughout its history, the national team has provided us all with many joyful moments. I have personally followed national team matches in the stadium with my family multiple times, and it has always been a great pleasure. Of course, if the game result has been satisfactory, the pleasure has been even greater; otherwise, we have been very happy and proud to stand by the side of the national team during that difficult trial. In this regard, I hope that we will achieve success soon. I would very much like the spirit that exists in the Republic of Armenia—regarding civic public life—be reflected in game of the Armenian national team.”

“Of course, I believe that psychology is very important in football and in any sport, and I am confident that there are high-level professionals here. However, I also think that public support is very important because public backing can always be significant in the actions of any professional.”

“I want to wish you success, first of all in tomorrow’s game, but I believe that the first important psychological point that we need to have is this: The people of Armenia, the sports fans must always stand by our national team regardless of the specific outcomes of the games, and I believe that this psychological aspect is crucial. The psychological burden must be as light as possible, and our national team should not have any feeling of fear regarding the game.”

“Of course, the game result is very important, but as the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, I am also ready to share any bitterness with our team. Of course, there is no need to share joy, but know that I am always ready to share the bitterness. So it is very important that before stepping onto the field, you are confident that our community and I stand with you. It is very important that any potential outcome of the game does not scare us because it is crucial to move forward with courage and creatively overcome the rest.”

“I hope that the stadium will be packed for tomorrow's game because, for example, that feeling is very important for me, and I will also be present.”

“From my experience, I can say—I'm not sure how applicable it is in football—but in my opinion, not fearing defeat is a crucial prerequisite for victory. When we are afraid of losing, it seems we enter a dead end and are also afraid of acting. It is important not to fear losing, that simplifies the psychological state and leaves only the effort to invest in all possible ways and finally see what happens.”

“I believe in our team, I highly value and love you all because the Armenian national football team is one of our most important national and state symbols, and we must do everything with our emotions and efforts to ensure that this symbol feels secure, standing strong on its feet.”

“If what is written in the football development program is implemented, there is no doubt that we will have significant successes. First and foremost, we need to have those successes in our minds, as you certainly have the necessary capacity to achieve them.”

“I want to thank you for your work, and especially thank the veterans for being at the roots of the creation of the team, for bearing the full brunt of the team’s bitterness, and for creating victories. I also wish success to the newcomers.”

According to Nikol Pashinyan, the most important aspect of service and mission is to be sincere and to believe in the mission. “The mission of the players at the team level is very important. For example, while formulating the mission of the government, I mention that our mission is to enable people to believe in themselves, to trust their abilities, to believe that they can change their lives, reach their dreams. I believe that in this respect, the national team’s mission is even more important because when the national team performs well, that day, the next day, and in the near future, every citizen of Armenia and every Armenian feels more confident in their daily lives, which are absolutely unrelated to football. Hence, in your mission, I wish you great success because your success is our success,” emphasized the Prime Minister.

Arthur Vanetsyan, the president of the Football Federation, thanked the Prime Minister for visiting the academy, meeting with the national team players, and for the remarks made. Vanetsyan assured that the morale and psychological atmosphere in the national team are at a high level, and the players' physical condition is also good.

“All of us together are preparing for tomorrow's and all future games, and we will demonstrate a very good game. We all believe that our boys will perform honorably and will achieve victory. As you mentioned, even in the case of defeat, we will be by the players' side and will share that, but of course, victory is very much anticipated and we all believe that we will have a victory tomorrow,” said Vanetsyan.