GYUMRI - The Armenian government plans to declare the 461.75-square-meter Hayastan sports NGO boxing gym a priority public interest to preserve youth training and boxing development amid a national shortage of athletic facilities.

The property was recently sold to a private buyer during a forced auction triggered by the NGO's tax liabilities. To reverse this, the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports (MoESCS) is invoking eminent domain, with the Shirak Governor’s staff designated to acquire and manage the hub for national championships and local training.

Compensation, Funding, and Timelines

The legal expropriation process is subject to strict timelines and fiscal reallocations from the 2026 state budget:

• Independent Appraisal: An independent appraiser will determine the equivalent compensation for the current owner within two months of the decree taking effect.
• Budget Redistribution: MoESCS must submit a proposal to redistribute its allocated 2026 state funds to cover the costs of evaluation, acquisition, notary services, and state registration.
• December Deadline: The final deadline to launch the property expropriation is set for December 25, 2026, with an official description record of the property required within three months of the decision.

Notable Omissions in Project Justification

While the government maintains that the project will not alter overall state or municipal budget bottom lines, the draft explicitly outlines new state expenses for the acquisition and registration.

Furthermore, the official justification lacks crucial details, providing no information regarding the building's current physical condition, its recent volume of sports activities, or whether alternative local facilities exist to serve Gyumri's historic boxing community.