YEREVAN, DECEMBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. The results of the passing tournament season, which were given a positive mark by Armen Grigorian, the RA MInister of Sport and Youth Affairs, were summarized at the press conference of the Minister, which was held on December 25. He, in particular, mentioned that a record number of sportsmen, that is 2700 from 97 cities of the world, took part in the fourth pan-Armenian games held in August in Yerevan. Armen Grigorian stated that by the decision of the World Committee of Olympic Games basket-ball and football competitions, as well as winter games in Tsaghkadzor in winter, will be held in 2009 by the program of the games. In the 2007 tournament season the sportsmen of Armenia have received 104 medals and 12 passes for the Beijing Olympic Games in the 74 world and European championships. According to the Minister, that number will increase, as numerous rating tournaments are envisaged to be held in 2009 and the Sporting delegation of Armenia is expected to, finally, be composed of 20-25 people. It was mentioned that the governmental organizational committee of the "Beijing 2008", which is led by Serge Sargsian, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, has already been created. Armen Grigorian also touched upon the 2008 programs. In particular, it is envisaged that sporting camps will be organized in all the regions of Armenia jointly with the Football Federation of Armenia. The Minister mentioned that it is envisaged to raise the salary of the 2000 trainer-pedagogues working in the sporting schools of the republic. By the decision of the government, since 2008 deserving sportsmen and trainers will be decorated with titles of authoritative master and authoritative trainer. 12 more sporting schools will be repaired and put into operation in the republic.

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