Ministry of Education and Science States that Payments to Wrestlers Have Been Made; Athlete Responds that Amounts Were Received in 2020

As previously reported, Armenian free-style and Greco-Roman wrestlers have recently raised concerns about various issues within the sport, particularly financial problems. The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport (MoESCS) has published official data regarding the financial allocations made to the wrestlers.

The statement notably mentions that in 2021, as a result of various programs implemented by the Ministry, double European Champion, bronze medalist of the World Championship, and participant in the Tokyo Olympic Games, Arsen Harutyunyan received 14 million 851 thousand drams. In the case of Greco-Roman wrestler and world and European champion Malhas Amoyan, the amount for 2021 was 14 million 475 thousand drams. Wrestler Gevorg Gharibyan received 8 million 214 thousand drams, while Vazgen Tevanian received 5 million 558 thousand drams. Slavik Galstyan received more than 5 million drams.

In the first quarter of 2022, Arsen Harutyunyan had already received over 1 million drams, Slavik Galstyan – 720 thousand, and Vazgen Tevanian – 540 thousand drams.

Regarding another issue raised by wrestlers about treatment for injuries, it is noted that the "Sports Medicine Center" is responsible for the examination and treatment of athletes' injuries, which has been under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health since 2021. As we reported earlier, 12 million drams has been allocated to the Armenian Wrestling Federation for the purchase of medications, supplements, and vitamins.

According to the MoESCS, the funding for the Armenian Wrestling Federation in 2022 amounts to 338 million 320 thousand drams. The Ministry allocates this amount for organizing domestic competitions throughout the year, as well as for proper preparation and participation in world and European championships.

In response to the Ministry’s statement claiming payments have been made to wrestlers, champion Arsen Harutyunyan posted on his Facebook page, stating, “The amounts presented in MoESCS's 'clarification' were received by us in 2020, based on a government decision proposed by Harutyunyan and Tamrazyan. The deadline for that decision expired in December 2021, which we are vocal about. It is shameful.”

It is worth reminding that in an interview with Auroranews, the MoESCS stated that athletes with achievements in 2021 receive a personal pension, benefits, bonuses, and end-of-year payments for being among the top 10.