Exploring Life & Business with Armenia Basketball of Friends of Team Armenia Basketball

Today we’d like to introduce you to Armenia Basketball

Hi Armenia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
We (Friends of Team Armenia Basketball) are a registered nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and developing basketball in Armenia. We hold 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, which allows us to operate as a nonprofit organization in the United States, making donations tax-deductible for supporters.

National Team

Armenia has a men’s national basketball team that represents the country in international competitions. Friends of Team Armenia Basketball covers the full financial support for the Armenia national basketball team, including essential expenses such as flights, hotels, training, and other operational costs. Their backing ensures that the team can focus on competing and developing without financial barriers, facilitating the growth of basketball in Armenia at the international level. This comprehensive support is vital to sustaining the team’s participation in global competitions and enhancing the infrastructure for basketball in the country.

Objectives

The primary goal of Friends of Team Armenia Basketball is to foster growth in all aspects of basketball within the country.
This includes:

Supporting youth development programs
Supporting the Armenia Pro League
Improving basketball infrastructure in Armenia
Providing training and resources for coaches and players
Competing in tournaments and events
By focusing on these areas, the organization aims to elevate the level of basketball in Armenia and increase participation in the sport at various levels.

Long-Term Vision

The organization’s long-term objective is to establish, improve, and maintain an elite national basketball program capable of competing at the highest international levels.
Specifically, we aim to:

Participate in FIBA (Fédération Internationale de Basketball) competitions
Qualify for and compete in the Olympic Games
Fundraise and Support basketball in Armenia
Friends of Team Armenia Basketball actively seeks donations to support its mission.

These contributions are used to:
Support operating costs for the National Team, U20, and U18 teams
Run the Armenia Pro League to facilitate growth
Provide necessary resources for players
Continue training programs for our national team players
Facilitate participation in domestic and international competitions
Development of young players in Armenia

We believe that developing basketball in Armenia can have a broader positive impact by Inspiring the nation through sports, uniting people around a common goal, and creating a stronger and more resilient basketball community.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Honestly, we never expected everything to be smooth for Friends of Team Armenia Basketball. There are always obstacles, but our nature is to persevere and overcome. Our team is like our nation – we are resilient. Most of the challenges we’ve faced are based on the funding of our program. However, Friends of Team Armenia Basketball has been very fortunate to have some really committed partners. Tony Safoian from SADA supported our program from day one, and many others along the way have seen our consistent progress and joined in supporting our financial challenges. This combination of resilience and growing support has been crucial in navigating the difficulties we’ve encountered. As we continue to demonstrate our commitment and achieve results, we’re finding more partners willing to invest in our vision, helping us overcome the financial hurdles that are often the biggest challenge for developing sports programs. Our journey may not have been smooth, but our determination and the backing of our supporters have allowed us to make significant strides in developing Armenian basketball.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The most important quality for the success of Armenia basketball is resilience. This characteristic has been evident in the team’s recent achievements, such as winning the gold medal at the 2022 Small Countries Championship and the Los Angeles International Basketball Cup. These victories came after overcoming significant challenges, including tough competition and financial constraints. The ability to rebound from early setbacks, as demonstrated in their thrilling 92-91 victory over Ireland, showcases our determination and mental toughness. Additionally, resilience is crucial as we prepare for the 2027 World Cup pre-qualifiers, where we will face very tough opponents in Albania and Austria. The commitment to continuous improvement and the willingness to adapt in the face of adversity are essential traits that will enable the team to grow and succeed on the international stage. As they strive for excellence, support from the Armenian diaspora will also play a vital role in sustaining our efforts and ensuring a bright future for basketball in Armenia.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://armeniabasketball.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/armeniabasketball/