BREADLINE BUDGETS BITE IN ARMENIA
by Khachik Chakhoyan
UEFA, Switzerland
Nov 29 2006
Lack of funding and a limited commitment to local talent is conspiring
to make matters difficult for Armenian footballers.
Survival issues The 2006 season ended in Armenia with FC Pyunik
topping the table and FC Banants striker Aram Hakobyan declared top
scorer on 25 goals.
However, there is no hiding the fact that even the strongest sides
in Armenia cannot compete at international level, while the weaker
ones can barely survive a domestic season. Behind Pyunik, Banants, FC
MIKA and outsiders FC Ararat occupied the top four places. Pyunik’s
commitment to local players paid off while Banants and MIKA were
particularly disappointed as their commitment to foreign talent failed
to pay off.
Youth disappointed In the end, MIKA’s Brazilian star Alex was the
only foreign import to truly make an impression, and the focus on
overseas talent saw more local youngsters left in the reserves at the
big clubs – something that may have been a factor in poor showings
for the national Under-17 and U19 teams this year. While the Football
Federation of Armenia is eager to limit clubs’ reliance upon foreign
players, the biggest problem for most of the teams in the league
is surviving from week to week on very limited finances. Only FC
Gandzasar Kapan out of this season’s bottom four did not experience
financial problems.
Makeweight side This season’s campaign was due to start with ten
teams but three pulled out at the last minute, forcing the league
authorities to found FC Ulis Yerevan at short notice in order to make
up the numbers. Ulis survived a relegation play-off at the end of the
season and have promised to be more competitive in 2007, looking to
sign experienced players who are not getting first-team football at
the bigger clubs. On an equally encouraging note, FC Kilikia, another
struggling side, also look likely to bring in Armenian youngsters to
make a fight of it.
Funding issues The promotion of FC Lernayin Artsakh has given the hope
that nine teams might start the new season, but already things are
looking grim for FC Shirak, who finished second-from-bottom. Whether
they will have the funding to start the 2007 campaign has to be
seen. It also remains a fundamental issue for most Armenian clubs. The
seemingly endless search for sponsors has kept club directors’
attention away from the pitch.