PASADENA–Hundreds gathered at Pasadena High School on Sunday–May 6 for the official opening ceremony of the 26th Annual Navasartian Games organized by Homenetmen.
The Navasartian torch was lit at the Montebello Armenian Genocide Monument by Homenetmen Regional Executive Chairman Manuel Marselian–and transported to the athletic field by athletes in a marathon.
Welcoming remarks were made by Homenetmen member Terese Kemanjian–who presented the Homenetmen Western USA Regional Executive’s message on the festive occasion. The Homenetmen pledge was made by Meghri Garabedian of Homenetmen’s Masis chapter. The Central Executive’s message was delivered by Vice-Chairman Jirayr Sarkisian.
The ceremony included a cultural program featuring a dramatic skit which concluded with a poem of Moushegh Ishkhan’s dedicated to the generations of Homenetmen members.
Five athletes competed in the newly instituted 3 Point Shoot. This year’s winner was Narbey Daroukhanian of Homenetmen’s Glendale chapter.
The main feature of this year’s opening ceremony was the Half Court Shot. The lucky finalist was Ara Garabed–who had the winning lottery from the audience. Unfortunately Garabed was unable to make the shot which would have awarded him with the $10,000 prize.
Additional details on the Games will be made in coming issues of Asbarez.