Developing football in Armenia
Article summary
Armenia's football history began officially in the 1990s but its traditions stretch back further.
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Overview
The Football Federation of Armenia (FFA) is striving to improve the nation’s footballing infrastructure, using its limited resources to improve facilities as it bids to bring more players, men and women, into the game. Armenia is a football country, and the FFA is eager to set the pace and encourage local teams to fulfil their potential at international level.
Figures continue to be encouraging, the FFA’s number of registered players – in football and futsal – continuing to rise year on year, as the federation works hard in collaboration with local clubs to make improvements on the ground. A significant challenge is finding good places for children to train and play, but with 39 new mini-pitches laid in the 2021/22 season, and stadiums being refurbished in Armavir, Abovyan and Vanazdor, progress is being made.
The FFA is also aiming to ensure that women have the opportunity to play, with campaigns geared towards developing a strong, sustainable infrastructure for women’s clubs, coaches, officials and volunteers, as well as raising the profile of women’s football.
“In 2020 we launched the FFA strategy, and we are on our way to successfully implementing it. We are keen to develop grassroots and amateur football, as well as youth football, to increase the number of people involved in the game. Whenever and wherever we organise any events, lay down infrastructure or make investments, our main goal is to build a legacy.”
UEFA support
UEFA HatTrick funding helped to build the national team’s training complex in Yerevan, and to upgrade the Hrazdan Stadium in the capital. The youth academy in Gyumri, in northern Armenia, also benefitted from UEFA’s support, with more recent projects focusing on infrastructure for youth football and regional infrastructure development based on the FFA strategy, for example the reconstruction of the City Stadium in Abovyan. Important projects are also being undertaken under UEFA’s Football and Social Responsibility banner, covering coaching for health, World Heart Day, blind football, opportunities for amputee players and inclusion.
UEFA Foundation for Children
Set up in 2015, the UEFA foundation uses football as a vehicle to help improve children's lives by supporting hundreds of campaigns and projects across Europe and around the world.
Generation Sport 2022
The project promotes sport among young people and encourages physical eduction throughout the country. Twenty-five schools have been selected to receive sports equipment. Events will be organised to promote sport and exercise among the school-age population. Organised meet-and-greets with sports personalities will motivate the youngsters and encourage them to fulfil their potential. The project will help promote the inclusion of disabled children in sporting activities.
Timeline
Association history
National team history
President
Armen Melikbekyan
Nationality: Armenian
Date of birth: 10 May 1980
Association president since: 2019
General secretary
Artur Azaryan
Nationality: Armenian
Date of birth: 19 January 1987
Association general secretary since: 2020