The Armenian Basketball federation has applied for the participation in 3 upcoming European Championships of different age groups in summer of 2016. ABF's Secretary General Arthur Nazaryan on this occasion gave an interview to the press department of the National Olympic Committee.

- Mr. Nazaryan, for the first time Armenia's men's national team is going to take part in the European Championship for Small countries. Has it been a long time that the team was decided to send to international arena in 2016?

-As you know in July 2015 the Armenian junior team joined in the European Championship and from 7 games won the 3 ones though it was the first participation in such a competition.  That performance proved that we have big potential and our players can successfully come out in the national team. Moreover, some players of the junior team will be 21 years old next year and will obtain the right to play in the national team. At the last session of ABF’s Presidential Council the Federation President, Hrachya Rostomyan noted that it is time for the national team to gladden its fans. The Presidential Council unanimously decided to participate in the European Championship. 

-As you know in July 2015 the Armenian junior team joined in the European Championship and from 7 games won the 3 ones though it was the first participation in such a competition.  That performance proved that we have big potential and our players can successfully come out in the national team. Moreover, some players of the junior team will be 21 years old next year and will obtain the right to play in the national team. At the last session of ABF’s Presidential Council the Federation President, Hrachya Rostomyan noted that it is time for the national team to gladden its fans. The Presidential Council unanimously decided to participate in the European Championship.

-It isn't known who will lead the team to the competition place. When will it be clear?

-This issue is still discussed in the federation. There are some candidates but we haven’t made choice yet. Incidentally, FIBA has significantly tightened the licensing of coaches, so the team should be headed by the licensed specialist. In any case whoever is coach he'll be assigned a task to win at the European Championship for Small Countries. I’m sure we have this potential.

- And what about the U16 and U20 teams? What expectations do you have from them at the upcoming European Championships?

-The U20 team for the second year in a row participates at the
European Championship. About 35 percent of this year players are 19, therefore the next year they will come out in the junior team if they are in a good condition. Besides, we have several players who can stand out at the European championship. ABF's vice president Ara Poghosyan these days lists the final players. Here also we haven’t got a head coach but I hope at the end of the year the head coaches will be known. As for the 16 year-olds the team mainly consists of Yerevan’s team. has twice participated in Euroleague and has a rather big experience in international competitions which is very delightful. The head coach of the U16 team will be announced in a few days.

-The European Championships will be held in summer, 2016. When will the preparations begin?

-Each team has its own preparatory program. The training camps will be started from May, 2016. The European Championships will be held in July and August. We have some options of organizing training camps but after assigning head coaches.

ANOC press department