Ararad SA

Ararad Sports Association (Arabic: جمعية ارارات الرياضيه; Western Armenian: Արարատ Մարզական Միութիւն; Armenian: Արարատ Մարզական Միություն) is a Lebanese-Armenian sports and cultural organization. Established in 1969, the club is considered a continuation of the Lebanese-Armenian club Pagramian.[1] Although the club has sympathizers from various circles, it is regarded as an association with left-wing leanings.

Ararad
Full nameArarad Sports Association
Founded1969 (1969)
WebsiteClub website

History

After Pagramian had been closed by the Lebanese government in 1960 for its affiliation with the Lebanese Communist Party, Ararad Sports Association was set up to fill the void in 1969.[2]

In 1976, at the height of the Lebanese Civil War, the extreme right-wing Phalangist Party (Kataeb) militia confiscated the locale of the association for its political leanings; this put a halt to the club's activities. The president of the association, Simon Kazandjian, was martyred along with a relative, Kevork Kazandjian.

With the establishment of more peaceful conditions in Lebanon, Ararad Sports Association regrouped in 1988 forming a new administrative committee. The club also launched their football team that played in Lebanese Third Division.

In 1996, the club restored its right to repossess its confiscated locale after negotiations with the Phalangist party leaders. The club also found support from Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, who also contributed funds allowing the club to purchase the locale. The opening ceremony event of the revamped club was also sponsored by Hariri himself.[2]

On 4 June 2009, Ararad formed their chess division.[3] On 21 June 2012, they disbanded their football team.[4]

References
  1. Messerlian, Zaven. Armenian Participation in the Lebanese Legislative Elections 1934-2009. Beirut: Haigazian University Press, 2014. pp. 28, 138, 153-154
  2. "About Us". Ararad Sports Association. Archived from the original on 4 June 2012.
  3. "الجامعة اللبنانية | التشريعات | اضافة لعبة الشطرنج لجمعية "نادي أرارات الرياضي" بيروت". www.legallaw.ul.edu.lb. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  4. "الجامعة اللبنانية | مركز المعلوماتية القانونية :: التشريعات النافذة :: الغاء ألعاب من تراخيص بعض الجمعيات الرياضية :: المواد :: 1". www.legallaw.ul.edu.lb. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.