RA Deputy Ministers of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Arthur Martirosyan and Karen Giloyan received Patrick Trabal, Professor at the University of Paris Nanterre.
He arrived in Armenia to assess compliance with the UNESCO Anti-Doping Convention requirements, as well as the outcomes of the program designed to enhance interagency cooperation in Armenia.
Deputy Director of the Anti-Doping Agency of Armenia, Professor Areg Hovhannisyan also attended the meeting.
During the meeting, it was pointed out that as part of cooperation with the RA ESCS Ministry, the Armenian Anti-Doping Agency prepared and submitted for review to the National Center for Education Development and Innovation a 40-minute educational film on the history of doping and the harmful characteristics of substances that are prohibited. The educational material was demonstrated to Yerevan High School No. 42 students named after T. Shevchenko, along with organized question-and-answer sessions on the topic. Throughout the academic year, awareness-raising activities will also be conducted in other general education schools, as well as in sports schools and higher education institutions.
In this regard, Deputy Minister Arthur Martirosyan emphasized the significance of anti-doping education and the execution of exchange programs with Armenian higher education institutions. Additionally, Patrick Trabal presented several master's programs at the University of Paris Nanterre that target anti-doping education and the training of relevant professionals, suggesting considering the possibility of engaging Armenian students in them.
Deputy Director of the Armenian Anti-Doping Agency, Professor Areg Hovhannisyan, highlighted the development of a national anti-doping program by 2027 as a key scope of cooperation to support the 10th International Francophonie Games.
ESCS Deputy Minister Karen Giloyan highlighted the RA Government's commitment to meeting the Anti-Doping Convention requirements and emphasized its support for clean sport.
“The situation is controlled and predictable. We intend to expand the budget to increase the number of doping tests and tighten control through regular local inspections,” said Karen Giloyan.
The Deputy Minister added that amateur competitions known as the RA Prime Minister's Cup in five sports are organized in Armenia aimed at promoting mass sports and a healthy lifestyle, as part of which, doping tests are also conducted in collaboration with the Anti-Doping Agency of Armenia.
Patrick Trabal, Professor at Paris Nanterre University, thanked for the reception and welcomed the willingness of the RA Government in the fight against doping and the independent activities of the National Anti-Doping Agency, stating that in recent years Armenian athletes have faced no doping issues.
Other issues of bilateral interest were also considered.