AGBU Chahen Chamlian Basketball Tournament

 

Montreal, Nov 16, 2009 - The traditional navy and yellow AGBU colours were dappled with hues of pink during this year’s annual Chahen Chamlian basketball tournament  as the “Friends of Selena” committee (or the pink ladies, as they came to be dubbed) teamed up on October 9,10,11, 2009,with the AGBU Sports Committee to organize this year’s event which commemorated the 5th anniversary of the passing away of Selena Merkouris,

 

Months of preparation paid off as our dual objectives were achieved: as usual, it was that time of the year to be proud of all our athletes.  Whether or not they win or lose is secondary.  We know they try their best and we are proud of them.  AGBU has been about basketball from its very beginnings in Montreal.  For over thirty years, year after year, this tournament, named after its dynamic pioneer, has  been associated with Thanksgiving weekend.   

 

Our athletes did not let us down: they did their best and their improvement at all levels was remarkable! Our Midget girls’ team proved that assiduous practising with coach Hov and his assistant Garo certainly takes them a long way in terms of betterment.  Our Peewee Boys were cheered on by fervid parents and succeeded in winning against Toronto by one point. As for our doughty Bantam Boys, after losing by a narrow margin to Toronto on Saturday,  they were faced with an overtime challenge on Sunday but narrowly lost the game. The Juvenile Boys, after defeating Toronto, eked out a victory and proved themselves dignified and respectful during an affray with the Gamk team and  deserved the Chahen Chamlian cup donated by Armen Chamlian.

 

Before the Senior Men’s inter roster game, a moment of silence was called upon by MC of the day  Mgo Kanondjian  in memory of Robert Boyadjian and Selena Merkouris. The senior men donned a black ribbon on their uniform in memory of their team mate Robert. Saro Erzengatsian walked away with the “Robert Boyadjian  Most Valuable Senior Player” award, donated by Rob’s AGBU friends.

 

In honour of Selena, a team of “young” AGBU veteran girls had decided to return to the court.  Astra Hagopian from Toronto did not refuse our invite and did her best to put a team together for the weekend.  The game started and as  half-time grew closer, it seemed that the Selena Merkouris cup donated by Matty Armaghanian was on its way to Ontario.  But Selena’s poster was hung high in the gym and almost as a talisman, overturned that path. The Montreal girls did not truckle in the face of imminent loss.  Encouraged by the vehement cries of the spectators, the hapless opponents returned empty handed while Mrs Berta Apkarian handed over Selena’s cup to Tina Merkouris.  Tears of joy could be seen on many faces. This was a victory that had had absolutely nothing to do with basketball results, rather  a meaningful gesture that called out to Selena: We did it for you, we won’t forget you!

 

 Way to go to all athletes young and old(er), we are so proud of your achievements!

 

It is befitting at this point to congratulate all our wonderful coaches and their assistants for their dedication throughout this past year: Onno Alixanian,Vahe Balayan, Serge Beudjekian, Ed Garabed, Hovhannes Kanondjian, Armen Kavaldjian, Aram Kazandjian, Zaven Kazandjian, Michael Manoukian , Bared Mirican and Garo Sofuyan, thank you for your contribution to our youth and our community. 

 

Every enthusiastic audience deserves a top-notch performance. Not only did our athletes fill that requirement, but we were also treated to the cutest cheerleaders in the world!  MC Jack (whose grand-daughters made up half the team) proudly introduced Alina, Alisa, Arevig, Kiki, Leana, Lori,Sarina and Serena as the AGBU equivalent to Eurovision talent. These precious gems waived away their pom-pons and dazzled the audience with their rendition of Qele Qele with the aplomb of professional entertainers.  What a delectation for our spectators ! What a show! These munchkins had been practising for months and burgeoned into pros.

 

And if that weren’t enough, the AGBU Scouts’ marching band proudly drummed away to the plaudits of the audience . Band leader Harout, the cynosure of every eye in his troup, waived his baton and the beat went on  reminding all present the amazing work accomplished by the scout movement within AGBU. Congratulations Harout! Congratulations Alex, Allen, Armen, Karl, Kevork, Mathew and Sevan. Keep up the good work!

 

Throughout the weekend, while the gym was flowing with enthusiasm, our “pink ladies” were busy.  Behind the canteen tables and the Pink Store, they laboured tirelessly.  Which brings us to our second objective.

 

This tournament was dedicated to the memory of Selena Merkouris, an exceptional AGBU athlete who five years ago lost her battle to an aggressive form of Breast Cancer at the tender age of 30. Every member of the “Friends of Selena” committee was touched by her, loved and was loved by her:  some family, some friends but all having one thing in common, the desire to keep her memory alive. This was the perfect opportunity to associate our organization  to a charity that was close to Selena’s heart, Rethink Breast Cancer.

 

It is this organization that brought Selena comfort and solace when diagnosed at the age of 29, a young bride ready to start her new life. It is a charity that helps young people who are affected and concerned about breast cancer.  They help those diagnosed with child care issues, treatment, fertility, financial obstacles, the list goes on and on. To sum it up, they bring their assistance to all kinds of problems that a young woman afflicted with the disease is faced with.  They educate and fund research. All their fund-raising events appeal to the under 40 crowd: fashion shows, concerts and fitness are only some of the events that are associated with their endeavours in fund-raising.  This is where AGBU came in..a basketball tournament that would also benefit this invaluable cause.

 

Away from the gym and onto the dance floor: Saturday night was standing room only at AGBU’s Jirair and Elise Dervishian Hall. Once again DJ Hovik did not fail the ebullient crowd who danced away to the wee hours of the morning. Marco’s tamtams  suffused all with a festive spirit. M Tamtam associated himself to our cause voluntarily and the organizing committee is ever so grateful for his generosity.  Around 10 o’clock, the buffet was opened and all those present were treated to a Lucullean feast prepared by none other than Vivi.  Need we say more?

 

By midnight, the Silent Auction that had started earlier on came to an end. Sixteen generous donors and sixteen generous bidders helped us amass close to 3500 dollars for Rethink Breast Cancer.  Add to that the revenues from the Pink Store as well as a portion of the dance ticket revenues and AGBU’s contribution to Rethink amounted to over $6000, double our original target! On behalf of Fednav, Sandrine Merasyedi pledged $7000, which brought the grand total to over $13000. In short, our second objective was achieved.  Our most sincere appreciation to Sandrine and Fednav.

 

The AGBU Sports Committee would like to thank all those involved. A very special thank you to you Pink ladies, you proved yourselves paragons of organization.  Thank you to our MCs who sacrificed their time for this noble cause, M Jack Sera and M Mgo Kanondjian.  Thank you to Steve Kuiumdjian from Toronto who is always so cooperative and dependable. May AGBU continue to imbue our young with the spirit of our community.

 

This was one indelible weekend!

Minouche Artinian

To view the pictures of this event please click here...