PRESS RELEASE
ARMENIAN GENERAL BENEVOLENT UNION
2495 E. Mountain St, Pasadena, CA 91104
Tel: (626) 794 7942
Fax: (626) 794 2622
Web:
First Annual Spring 2010
Basketball Tournament at the AGBU Pasadena Center
Pasadena, CA – May 2nd 2010 marked the closing ceremony of the first
annual Spring Basketball 2010 Basketball Tournament organized by the
sports committee of the AGBU Glendale/Pasadena Chapter.
Spanning the course of four consecutive weekends, participants from
various schools and organizations met to compete at the AGBU Pasadena
Center basketball court. Teams were divided among age groups – both
girls and boys – ranging from 8 to 17 year olds. Participants of the
tournament included Arshag Dickranian School, Hovespian School,
Armenian Sisters Academy, UACC, HMM Glendale, AGBU-AYA clubs and
school alumni teams.
The goal of the organizers was to provide a venue for the local youth
to come together, compete, enhance their basketball skills and have
fun doing so. From the feedback received, the AGBU Spring 2010
Basketball Tournament succeeded in doing just that and much more.
`The atmosphere was relaxed, friendly and cooperative. Animosity
between the rival teams was practically non-existent. On the contrary,
this opportunity brought about a burgeoning camaraderie among all the
athletes present. Kudos to the AGBU organizers for presenting our kids
with this experience’ stated an athlete’s parent.
The closing ceremony followed a day of nail biting eliminatory games
with bleachers full of fans and supporters, kids of different ages
stepping in and out of the court, and coaches sharing some last minute
tips with their players before a final game.
`During the entire tournament none of the coaches or athletes involved
received a single technical foul. That is a great accomplishment for
us’ stated Garo Mazakian, Athletic Director of the AGBU
Glendale/Pasadena Chapter. `I am proud of all participating
athletes. Their attitude and sportsmanship was commendable.’
Judging from the atmosphere in the gym, all the athletes felt like
champions. At the closing ceremony, each and every athlete was
presented with a participation trophy while the coaches for the first
and second place winning teams came up to accept their special
trophies. Radiance ruled when all participating teams were called to
gather on the bleachers for a group picture to mark the occasion.
Encouraged by the overwhelming response, the Athletic committee of the
AGBU-AYA Glendale/Pasadena Chapter voted to turn this into an annual
event, thus creating yet another ground for the Armenian youth to
gather and nurture their Armenian heritage, this time through their
love for basketball.
Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually serving some
400,000 Armenians on five continents.