Water polo forgotten sport in Armenia

YEREVAN.- The Armenian water polo athletes registered success during Soviet times . However, the sport is neglected nowadays despite Armenia’s Water Polo Federation exists.

NEWS.am Sport correspondent interviewed the Federation head Gagik Hovhannisyan.

Asked what hampered development of water polo in Armenia, Hovhannisyan said during the years of independence water polo was thoroughly eliminated. At the same time, the Armenian Olympic Reserve ORWP team registers has success in Los Angeles. Armenia has no national team, he said adding that certain steps are taken to establish water polo teams in Armenia’s Gyumri and Vanadzor cities.

In response how Armenia’s National Olympic Committee supports the Federation, Hovhannisyan said that the Committee supports many non-Olympic sports but not the water polo. It is neglected by the Committee. The Federation cannot take part in international tournaments as it has no financial assistance.

As for the Ministry of Youth and Sport Affairs, head of the Federation said that it also keeps silent.

Interview by Lusine Shahbazyan