Armenian children talk sports

Armenian children would love to have various choices of playing different kinds of sports, but for several reasons they are kept away even from available ones. They share their own experiences in sports and let the world know about their wishes regarding Olympic Games sports.

Gohar and Susanna, 9 and 11, have a young brother Zhora, 4, who giggles every time they start athletic exercising. Both girls attend gymnastic classes and eagerly show their talent in front of everyone. Even neighbours started visiting the girls more often because they enjoyed watching their performances.

“My daughters are so quick to learn new things, they learn and share with others, eagerly showing all the tricks step by step,” shares their mother. “When they start learning new things, I can feel their target to succeed, their single-minded approach to the point.”

“I like to try new things, especially if it concerns to sports. I like taking the challenge with my body, I can manage my body more easily, than my fellows,” shares Gohar.

“I would prefer to go for swimming. You start the competition in swimming, put all your efforts in achieving the goal and enjoy the victory just in few minutes,” describes Susanna, picturing herself swimming. 

“Yes, I agree with Susanna; besides you can learn swimming and save the drowning people,” Gohar catches her sister’s words with excitement.

The family members are proud of the girls; they are active and social, whilst being so young.

"I see myself in dancing competitions when I’m asleep..." 

“I take dancing courses, and even see myself in dancing competitions when I’m asleep, it is so funny to watch yourself from the side, how you try to win and be the best. I would like to watch dancing competitions and also gymnastics,” shares Susanna with a smile.

Grigor and Anahit, 10 and 11, live in a small apartment of only one room. The family consists of seven members (Grigor, Anahit, their parents, aunt and her two children); they all impatiently share the only room.

Although Grigor has speech problems and is slow in studying, he feels the care and love from his family members. His sister Anahit keeps helping him preparing homework; cousins play with him developing games; his aunt shares pictures of Jesus Christ, whom adorably Grigor believes in.

“My son likes to watch movies about Jesus and has a special handmade notebook with all kinds of stories and photos received from relatives. He spends a lot of time writing and gluing all that,” shares Grigor’s mother Alina. 

Doctors do not recommend Grigor play for extended periods of time, but still he likes ‘conquering distances’ and is good in it.

“I feel free when I run. The air touches my face and I run faster and faster,” quietly explains Grigor with a shadow of a smile on his lips. “I would like to see running competitions in Olympic Games,” he adds. 

Grigor’s sister Anahit attends dancing classes for already a year. She tries to practice at home when she can find the time.

"I go out and practice my dances on the staircase not to bother my family..."

“When I’m done with my homework and finish helping Grigor, I wear my dancing outfit and try my moves. The house is too small and I go out and practice my dances on the staircase not to bother my family,” shares Anahit, adding, “I would like dancing to be included in Olympic Games with many national and traditional styles, of course if they will have space for it.”

Hayk, 10, has attended Shotokan classes for the past two years, which is a style of karate, developed from various Japanese martial arts.

“I like my strength. Not only strength is needed in Shotokan, but also it is important to work with your brain, to predict opposite’s next move,” explains Hayk, connecting his hands in motion. “That’s what our trainer tells us every day.”

Hayk’s family is active in sports, mainly in swimming. His father, mother and grandmother used to go for swimming in youth, while Hayk was able to take only some months of swimming classes.

“The water in swimming pools is rich with chlorine and frequently brings to infections..." 

“The water is rich with chlorine and frequently brings to infections. Those pools, which have pure water, cost ten times more expensive, we don’t have so much money and had to go for the cheaper ones. But I am worried for my son’s health, and we quit with swimming classes last year,” complains Hayk’s mother with regret.

“I would like to see boxing competition in Olympic Games, though my family doesn’t like boxing, I attended a short course and liked it. If the Olympic Games are aired on TV, I would be glad to watch swimming and other competitions as well,” shares Hayk.

Hasmik, 6, attends a preschool education centre where she learns to read and write, count and sing. She has a four-year-old sister who attends a kindergarten and eagerly listens to the songs Hasmik performs at home. Both girls have plenty of toys and enjoy their time at home playing together, while Hasmik’s major wish still stands for swimming and dancing classes.

“My grandmother tells me how swimming is good for children..."

 “My grandmother tells me how swimming is good for children. She used to attend swimming pool when young, and I also want to swim, but mom doesn’t let me,” complains the little girl.

There are no swimming pools in the district and Hasmik’s mother has to spend time and money to take her child to swimming pools in the other districts, not counting the cost for the swimming classes.

 “Water in swimming pools are not frequently changed because of expensiveness, and that brings too many infections. I am afraid for my children’s health and can’t afford that much risk for my family,” describes Hasmik’s mother, Hayarpi.

Hayarpi would love to make her daughter’s wish come true, but she has no option. There is no physical education course in her preschool establishment and no sport or any other activity groups are available nearby.

“My Hasmik is full of energy, which is common to the child of her age. And she found the right way to use her energy: she likes long jumping,” shares Hayarpi.

“I haven’t seen any Olympic games but I would love to see table tennis competition and also I love long-jumping. I become calm when I jump a distance. Is that a sport?” asks Hasmik with hope in her eyes, demonstrating her outstanding jumps.