Deportivo Armenio the only football club bearing Armenian name - Noray Nakis

By Vera Martirosyan

YEREVAN.- Deportivo Armenio is the only football club in the world bearing Armenian name.

The team was founded by young Armenians of Argentine back in 1962, President of the club, former vice-president of Argentine football association Noray Nakis said in an interview with NEWS.am Sport.

Deportivo Armenio was once playing in Argentine’s primera division. There are no Armenian players in the team, although there are symbols of the Armenian coat of arms.

“Now there are no Armenian players. The club will not exist unless my family and I give it up. Unless the club had Armenian name, I would have stopped working there. We receive no assistance from the Armenian community. We are financed only by Argentine football association,” Nakis said.

Deportivo Armenio president said they once tried to bring Henrikh Mkhitaryan to Argentine to play for Boca Juniors, but he preferred Ukraine.

“There are many good Armenian players, who could play here, but it all depends on costs, and it is all on my shoulders. It is necessary to provide a good salary and good conditions for a player. Now it is very difficult,” he noted.

Asked about Latin American players who could play in Armenia, Nakis said Mauro Guevgeozián was sent back to Argentine because coaches of Ararat 73 did not like his game.

“Now, Mauro is playing for one of the best clubs in Paraguay. They had to ask me for advice, instead of making hasty decisions,” he added.

During his visit to Armenia, Nakis established contacts with president of Armenia’s football federation Ruben Hayrapetyan. Argentinean expert believes Hayrapetyan improved football infrastructure and solved many problems.

“Many Armenians act as if they knew everything and did not need any advice or recommendation,” he added. Nakis stressed that there is lack of good experts in Armenia, while specialists from such football nations as Argentine, Brazil and Uruguay can be very useful.

Asked about his friendship with Maradona, Nakis said “I am in friendly relations with Maradona, Messi and many others.”

Follow NEWS.am SPORT on Facebook, Twitter and Telegram