My Way Home

30.12.2024
4 min read
Repat Story
From Russia to Artashat: Building a Future for Youth Football
From Russia to Artashat: Building a Future for Youth Football
 

Thoughts on Returning Home

 
Ararat Mambreyan, inspired by the repatriation of many of his relatives, friends and fellow athletes, decided to follow his dream of helping young Armenian players reach their football goals. An avid footballer since childhood, Ararat always wanted to help young players achieve their dreams of joining renowned and successful clubs.
 
"I realized so many people I knew had repatriated and started building something here. Around that time, some friends were launching a hockey league, and it inspired me to move to Armenia. I had a dream related to football – though it seemed daunting: to come here and make it a reality. I played football until I was fifteen, but knee problems forced me to stop. Still, I always wanted to stay involved in football, especially by doing something for kids. There are so many talented young people here. I knew we needed to create a club – a people’s team. Artashat, the capital of the Ararat Valley, felt like the perfect place for it," Ararat begins.
 
Before settling in Artashat, Ararat had already established himself in Russia. He founded two amateur football teams, one in Novosibirsk and another in Moscow. He also worked as the technical director for Moscow’s "Ararat" team, served as a football correspondent led a news service department, and contributed to discussions about Armenian football as an "armchair expert", as he describes himself.
 
Ararat sees the post-war period as a turning point. It was then that he decided something had to change in Armenia, and he saw it as his opportunity to create a football platform where those changes could take place.
 

Launching "Artashat City"

 
"Since moving here, I’ve been focused on youth football development at the regional sports school, helping kids get a chance to compete in Armenia’s national championships. This is meant to be the start of their journey into professional football. The sports school brings together children from the city and nearby villages. I’ve also established the 'Artashat City' football team, which is set to join Armenia’s Second League next year. The players for the team are currently training at the sports school. These kids have already competed in the Armenian Championship and won their division. Now, we’re in the process of registering the team for next year’s league," Ararat explains.
 
 
He sees 'Artashat City' not just as a team, but as a place where young players can envision their future. Many of these boys will enter military service next year, and it is important for them to know they have a place to return to, where they can grow, find support and demonstrate their talents.
 
"My focus now is to give these young men heading to the army a chance at a better future. Many lose their athletic discipline in the army, start smoking, and return to civilian life driving taxis or taking on other jobs. A football club can be a stepping stone - a platform that opens doors to professional football and even Europe. The kids playing here should have a chance to follow in the footsteps of Henrikh Mkhitaryan or achieve even a fraction of his success. That’s my philosophy. Why not? We have so much talent here; it just needs to be recognized and nurtured," he adds.
 

A Call for Support

 
Starting and maintaining a football club requires resources, and Ararat is reaching out for support. He has already secured backing from ‘Melante’, a company that provides football uniforms.
 
 
"There are many thriving industries in Armenia, especially in tech. I’d love to see more of them support sports. If anyone out there loves football, we’d be thrilled to collaborate. Let’s create something amazing together," he says.
 
Ararat knows firsthand that good deeds bear fruit, even when they come at a personal cost. For example, he auctioned a signed Henrikh Mkhitaryan jersey from his time at Arsenal to buy equipment for Artashat’s sports school. The most rewarding part? The kids greeting him with warm Barev dzes as he heads to the stadium – a gesture that motivates him to keep going.


Looking Ahead

 
Discussing the challenges in Armenian sports, particularly football, Ararat hopes the Armenian government will pay more attention to youth football development. While the Football Federation implements programs, he emphasizes the importance of focusing on the regions as well.
 
"We can’t ignore the passion kids have for football. We mustn’t let them down especially if we aim to become European champions by 2050. Championships need to be structured in a way that allows kids in the regions to grow, promoting football outside the capital as well."
 
Though the transition to life in Artashat hasn’t been easy, Ararat is committed to pushing forward. "It’s tough renting an apartment and covering living expenses here. The mentality in the regions can be different, too. People often ask, ‘Why didn’t you stay in Moscow?’ But I knew what I was getting into. I’m even planning to get a coaching license—it’ll definitely come in handy. This club, which hasn’t existed here since 1999, should be a platform for young people to step into the professional world of football and a place where the residents of the Ararat Valley can spend their leisure time,” he shares.
 
For Ararat, repatriation is not about expecting everything to be handed to you – it’s about taking action. "If you want to make a difference, you have to start somewhere. In the future, you don’t want to regret not trying," he concludes.

By Nare Bejanyan

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