By the decree of President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian, five coaches have been granted the honorary title of Merited Coach of the Republic of Armenia, as reported the press service of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Armenia.

Coach of the Chess Federation of Armenia, international grosmeister Arman Pashikyan; boxing coach of the Gyumri State College of Olympic Sport Shift Karen Ghazaryan; chief coach of the Armenian national freestyle wrestling team Habetnak Kurghinyan; Director of the Artashat Sport School of Olympic Wrestling Shift, coach Rafik Goletsyan and President of the Armwrestling Federation of Armenia, coach Arsen Gabrielyan received the honorary title on the occasion of Independence Day and for their merit and outstanding success in the development of physical culture and sports.

Habetnak Kurghinyan stated that receiving the title on the occasion of Independence Day is extremely important and binds him to respond to the state with more successes.

International grosmeister Arman Pashikyan also emphasized that even though he is proud to receive the title, it is also binding.