Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, together with the President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan, attended the award ceremony of the 10 best athletes of 2022

The event was also attended by Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister Arayik Harutyunyan, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan, Deputy Minister of Education Karen Giloyan, other officials, many representatives of the Armenian sports sector.

Prime Minister Pashinyan made a speech, in which he stated:

"Honorable President of the Republic of Armenia,
Dear representatives of the Government,
Dear representatives of the executive power, legislative power,
Dear champions, coaches,
Dear athletes,
Dear attendees,

First of all, I have to thank all of you for carrying out that mission, because for us, as I said, sport is a state mission. Sports is the continuation of the activities of our state, our society, foreign and domestic policies, programs and strategies. We give strategic importance to sport because sport is about statehood and the flag. Where we have failed to hold our flag high enough, where our flag has fallen from our hands, you have raised that flag. This is the most important mission.

I'm doubly glad that the conversation we had a few years ago, or the conversation that started a few years ago and went through various stages, has come to this point where we are reciprocating each other. You respond to our steps, we respond to your steps, and as a result we get a nationwide result. It's a result that recognizes no opposition, no government, no rich, no socially disadvantaged, because when you win, even the most ardent oppositionists are ready to hug and kiss each other because they feel proud and happy. This is the achievement of all of us.

The Deputy Minister has already emphasized, to tell the truth, we have talked about these topics several times, but even I am impressed. I want to remind you of another episode of our conversation, when the Deputy Minister told me that the budget funds are already running out, but we still have to reward the award winners. I said: medals from you, money from us. I am glad that we have not only fulfilled that promise, but have also overperformed it. Now I say again officially: we will do everything for your victory, because your victory is the victory of the Republic of Armenia.

I want to officially repeat another promise. We will build sports schools named after all Olympic champions. As soon as they became champions, before they return, while they are still in the plane, the Government will launch the the process. Not to mention the rest of the stuff.

I also want to remind you of an agreement that we reached, in 2021, I think, that we will develop a joint action plan with the Armenian Olympic Committee. I think that with the results of 2022, it is time to combine what we have done, how much money we have invested, how much effort we have put in, and than plan what to do next.

I am also very happy to note one thing: I see that there is a certain atmosphere of solidarity in the sports community, and this is very important. I beg you to maintain it. Leave all disputes to us, we will do our best to resolve your disputes, we will do our best to keep you on track.

It is clear that the opportunities of our state are not unlimited, but our goal is to do everything so that the athlete can play sports and not have to engage in various and additional activities unrelated to sports to pay for the injuries sustained as a result of his sports activities.

Of course, what I say is not ideal, but I hope you see that our words, our desire, our efforts are sincere. We do as much as possible. Together, complementing one another, this will increase our country's opportunities and reputation.

Of course, we must achieve our strategic goal. by 2050, at least 25 Olympic gold medals, that means 25 or double champions; 25 sports schools meeting all modern standards, with the latest property, the latest equipment. So, at least 25 Olympic gold medals and a European or World Cup football award by 2050. This is our strategic goal, and together we are moving towards that goal.

Thank you all again. I love you all, I'm proud of you all. You justified our expectations.

Thank you”.

Summarizing the sports year, the Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Karen Giloyan, presented the significant achievements of Armenian athletes during the year, and also referred to the state measures aimed at the development of sports, the plans for the construction and reconstruction of sports schools in the next year. "Out of 19 sports, 307 medals were won at the World and European Championships, the last one today Hayk Martirosyan won at the World Blitz Chess Championship, winning a bronze medal. So we got 104 gold, 70 silver and 133 bronze medals. For comparison, let's note that the number of medals won last year was 199, and our best result was in 2019 - 222 medals," said Karen Giloyan.

President Vahagn Khachaturyan handed over awards to the 10 best athletes.

In 2022, 10 best athletes of the Republic were recognized: Artur Aleksanyan (wrestling, world championship champion), Malkhas Amoyan (wrestling, European champion, 3rd place in the world championship), Hovhannes Bachkov (boxing, European champion), Samvel Gasparyan (weightlifting, 3rd place of the world championship, vice-champion of the European championship), Artur Davtyan (gymnastics, world champion, vice-champion of Europe), Varazdat Lalayan (weightlifting, 3rd place of the world championship, vice-champion of Europe), Arsen Harutyunyan (wrestling, 3rd place of the world championship, champion of the European Championship), Ani Hovsepyan (boxing, champion of Europe), Harutyun Merdinyan (gymnastics, 3rd place of the World Championship, champion of the European Championship) and Lilit Mkrtchyan (shooting, champion of the European Championship, 3rd place of the World Championship). The President of the Republic awarded Artur Davtyan with the First Class Medal for his services to the Motherland.