Gevorg Ghazaryan, former Armenia forward, runs for president of the Football Federation of Armenia
- Published
- Place
- Yerevan, Armenia
- Event date
- Past event —
Summary
Gevorg Ghazaryan is running for president of the Football Federation of Armenia (FFA). The former national team forward announced it in a video on Tuesday, 10 November, accepting a proposal from several supporter groups of the national team and Armenian clubs. “This is not a matter of holding a position or personal ambition. It is about the future of Armenian football,” he said. Aged 38, he is now on Ararat-Armenia’s coaching staff. He wants “systemic changes”, a clear strategy and a long-term development plan, with priorities including youth football, coach education, modern infrastructure, cooperation with clubs and the competitiveness of the national teams. The election is scheduled for December. Outgoing president Armen Melikbekyan is not seeking another term.
On 6 November, supporter movements had called for his candidacy in a joint statement. “Armenian football stands at a decisive turning point,” they wrote, referring to a struggle that began “two years ago”. They want the federation led by someone who knows professional football from the inside.
The supporters are not stopping at a name. They announced a team around him: former internationals, coaches, and specialists in administration, law and sports management. They promise to present its members and a programme soon.
“This is not one person’s path”
In his video, Ghazaryan says he took his time before answering. “I do not believe that one person can solve all the problems that have accumulated over the years,” he admits. He calls on players, coaches, clubs and professionals of all generations to join him, “regardless of past disagreements”.
He also stresses method: an election process that is “fair and transparent”, with equal opportunities for all candidates. Any candidacy, he says, should be judged on its ideas, its programme and its feasibility. His conclusion: “This is not one person’s path; this is our common cause.”
From Pyunik to Olympiacos
Born in Yerevan in 1988, Gevorg Ghazaryan came through at Pyunik, winning five Armenian league titles with the club from 2006 to 2010. He then played in Ukraine for Metalurh Donetsk, and in Greece for Olympiacos and Kerkyra.
He made his national team debut in January 2007, aged 18, playing as an attacking midfielder or forward. Before moving to the Ararat-Armenia bench, he played in several European leagues, which he now highlights: he says he saw other football systems, their problems and their opportunities “first-hand”.
Analysis
The candidacy comes from the stands, which is both its strength and its limit. It rests on the expectations of supporters who are calling for a change at the top of the federation. But an FFA election is won among football’s delegates, not on the terraces. Ghazaryan knows it: he talks about a team, a programme and transparency rather than promises. It remains to be seen who else will enter the race now that the outgoing president is stepping aside.
Possible consequences
The supporters are due to present Ghazaryan’s team and programme soon. Other candidacies and the exact date of the vote, scheduled for December, are still to be confirmed by the federation.
