Arsen Julfalakyan slams exclusion of wrestling from 2027 Francophonie Games in Yerevan

Former Civil Contract MP and Olympic silver medalist Arsen Julfalakyan has strongly criticized the Armenian government’s handling of the 2027 Francophonie Games set to be hosted by Yerevan. In a statement on Tuesday, the world and European wrestling champion accused authorities of mismanagement and neglect of national sporting priorities.

Julfalakyan revealed that wrestling, one of Armenia’s most successful and historically dominant sports, is not included in the proposed list of disciplines submitted by the Armenian authorities to the Francophonie Games organizing committee. The suggested sports include athletics, para-athletics, breakdancing, weightlifting, 3x3 basketball, wheelchair basketball, football, chess, judo and table tennis.

He emphasized that this omission has confused and surprised many participating nations, where wrestling holds a leading position. “Why would the host country exclude a sport where it has the best medal potential?” he asked.

Julfalakyan attributed the decision to the head of the games’ organization on the Armenian side, Chief of Prime Minister's Staff Arayik Harutyunyan, whom he sarcastically referred to as an “all-knowing sports expert.”

According to Julfalakyan, the Armenian Wrestling Federation was not involved in the decision-making process and both the wrestlers and the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) have expressed openness to the sport’s inclusion. However, official requests have gone unanswered or received vague replies.

He called on journalists and concerned stakeholders to raise public awareness and exert pressure before it’s too late, warning that relying on the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports would be futile. “The real addressee is the ruling party official in charge,” the athlete added.