Homenetmen Glendale Ararat chapter is again hosting and organizing the Friendship Games for the Glendale community.

As of now, more than 250 young athletes ages 10 and older have signed up to participate in tournaments that include basketball, soccer, volleyball, tennis, table tennis, chess, and rhythmic gymnastics, making these games one of the largest multi-ethnic youth athletic events ever hosted in Glendale.

The number of athletes is expected to increase to 600 by the time the games commence.

The games will be held at Glendale High School on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 18 and 19, from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. The games are open to spectators and sign-ups are still being taken. The closing ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. Oct. 19 at Glendale High School and is open to all Glendale residents.

"The goal of these Friendship Games is to bring together the many cultures in the Glendale community and foster goodwill, create new friendships in a friendly competitive manner. We want to give the opportunity to the younger generation from different backgrounds to take part in these games and festivities, create unity and celebrate our diversity in a friendly setting,"said Armond Gorgorian, executive director for Homenetmen Glendale Ararat chapter.

Homenetmen Glendale Arara chapter anticipates a good turnout for this event and encourages all community-based organizations in Glendale to participate.

A final friendly basketball game with Glendale City officials, school board representatives and participating non-profit organization directors will take place on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 4:30 p.m. in the main gym.

For more information about participation and festival, please call 323-256-2564 or visit www.araratgfg.com.

The Armenian General Athletic Union and Scouts, referred to as Homenetmen, is a non-profit organization founded in 1918.

As a strong believer in the strong-mind-in-a-strong-body concept, Homenetmen provides our youth with moral, physical and social education. In addition, it exposes the youth to the wealth of the Armenian culture and heritage, prepares outstanding and law-abiding Armenian-American citizens.

The Glendale Ararat chapter is the largest chapter in the United States, with nearly 2,300 members.

The most important part of our organization's function is provision of healthy and clean programs for teenagers and young adults through organized and supervised after school and weekend activities in a family oriented environment.

They are taught volunteerism, community and cultural values, citizenship, teamwork, receive leadership training, and are kept away from the strong negative influences facing our youth including drugs, gangs and crime.