On 25 July, the presentation announcing the start of the activity of the “Yerevan Higher School of Football Management” Foundation was held. The fund was established about a year ago. Its mission is to increase the effectiveness of the Armenian football economy by providing quality, innovative and competitive education based on modern technologies.

“Speaking simpler and more accessible, the basic mission of the Foundation is to transfer modern educational programs and innovative technologies to the Armenian football environment,” the founders say.

Mr. Karen Giloyan Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, Mr. Karen Zadoyan Co-Founder of the Foundation and Mr. Gerasim Barseghyan, Co-Founder, Acting Executive Director of the Foundation spoke at the event.

Mr. Giloyan mentioned in his speech he hopes that through the school it will be possible to develop management and marketing of football in Armenia.

“Today, these areas are in almost zero condition, we do not have any attributes of the teams for sale.

Today, these areas are practically at zero level, and we have no team attributes for sale. The Armenian football teams do not belong to the big family called European or world football. Why shouldn’t the team have its own fan club? This is the minimum I am saying. There are bigger problems and the way to solve them is quite difficult, but judging by the enthusiasm of the initiative group, there is a goal, work is being done,” he said.

Mr. Karen Zadoyan noted in his speech that it was difficult for them to create the fund, but at the same time, football has become the best sport that unites the nation.

“It will be possible to solve problems in Armenia only with joint efforts. Football education is a very good thing if it serves its purpose. We will try to develop football management through education, which is important for the development of Armenian football. It is a fact that there are problems in various systems, including the football economy. We need to start solving them,” he said.

Mr. Gerasim Barseghyan presented the goals and program activities of “Yerevan Higher School of Football Management”, as well as the beneficiaries of the program.

At the beginning of his report, the speaker presented to the audience the opportunity to create the structure, and then spoke about the key directions, which are:

1. Capacity building of football organizers and managers through short-term courses,
2. Conducting ongoing football studies and research using sociological and marketing research tools;
3. Organization of master classes by renowned football management specialists,
4. Protection of interests of participants involved in Armenian football at different levels,
5. Encouraging women’s participation in football management,
6. Implementation of targeted programs aimed at increasing the role of football as an institution of socialization.

Gerasim Barseghyan also spoke about the programs of the school that are already being implemented and developed. He pointed out the following according to importance and urgency:

• The program of development of management knowledge and skills of young professionals involved in football, which will start at the beginning of next month.
• Establishment of a post-secondary higher education institution (master’s program) providing formal football education. The start of this program has already been given, in the final phase of which, in September 2024, the first admission of students is planned.
• Comprehensive support for football startups. The core of the program will be innovations, ideas and manuals of football.
• Football is an important institution of socialization of a person. This program is a pilot program, which will be implemented in the communities of the RA. In case of achieving the target results, the geography of the project can be expanded.
• Assessing the needs of Armenian football and defining development guidelines. This qualitative research program is planned to be implemented by the end of the year.
• The speaker also spoke about the fact that many other projects are being developed in parallel with the above-mentioned programs, which will be aimed at the development of Armenian football and the realization of its great potential.

The presentation announcing the launch of the “Yerevan Higher School of Football Management” Foundation was organized with the support of Mr. President of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) Armenia Vasken Yacoubian, and Mr. Gabriel Chemberdjian, philanthropist, the Honorary  President of the “Pyunik” Charitable Foundation.