25th Annual Homenetmen Games Take Place in Boston

WATERTOWN (A.W.)—The 25^th Annual Homenetmen Eastern United States Navasartian Games took place in Boston from July 2-5. A total of 430 athletes from 8 Eastern U.S. chapters—New York, New Jersey, Washington, Chicago, Detroit, Providence, Philadelphia, and Boston—and from guest chapter Toronto of the Canadian region participated in the annual tournament. The games took place at the Woburn Memorial High School and the Boys & Girls Club of Woburn; the nightly events took place at the Westin Waltham Boston hotel.

The Victory Dinner Dance on July 4 opened with a procession of honored guests and dignitaries. More than 200 Homenetmen members and supporters gathered for the festivities. Distinguished guests included His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of the Eastern U.S.; Homenetmen Central Committee member and Eastern U.S. representative Hrach Mesrobian; Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Eastern U.S. Central Committee member John Avedissian; Homenetmen Regional Committee chair Vahe Tanashian; and Homenetmen Boston Executive representative Ara Barsoumian.

The event opened with the singing of the national anthems and the blessing of the tables by Archbishop Choloyan. Barsoumian then welcomed guests on behalf of the Boston chapter. In his remarks, Barsoumian said that Homenetmen is always victorious, since it succeeds in its mission of bringing together Armenians around a single cause.

Tanashian then thanked the steering committee, the sub-committees, and all of the members who worked tirelessly to make the games a success. Avedissian, who spoke on behalf of the ARF Eastern U.S. Central Committee, congratulated the 25^th annual games and said that ARF members worldwide stand with Homenetmen and the important work that it carries out. Hrach Mesrobian, speaking on behalf of the Homenetmen Central Committee, stressed that Homenetmen members will continue their work for years to come, to ensure that the organization’s mission is carried on for generations.

In his remarks, Archbishop Choloyan explained that while many organizations have come and gone, Homenetmen continues to stay young and has always stayed true to its mission of inspiring Armenian youth around the world.

Nairi Khachatourian served as the evening’s mistress of ceremonies, and Meghry Der Vartanian sang the national anthems of the Republic of Armenia and the United States as well as the Homenetmen anthem. Armenian pop singer Joseph Krikorian and his band from Los Angeles provided the evening’s entertainment.

The closing ceremonies were held on July 5, and medals were given out to the athletes. The final scores are below.

Chapter Points

1. Boston: 66
2. New Jersey: 46
3. Washington/New York: 23
4. Providence: 9
5. Chicago: 5
6. Toronto/Detroit: 4