only lasted for 1 year; until 2000. Kasagh Ashtarak restored its original name, keeping their logo, history and statistics, while FC Mika settled for being a new club. In 2007, Mika was relocated from Ashtarak to Yerevan. The only stadium of the city is Kasaghi Marzik Stadium with a capacity of 3,500 spectators. The sport school of Ashtarak is regulated by the Sevan sports public organization. The centre was entirely renovated and opened in July 2017, with an approximate cost of US$1 million. The school has around 350 young athletes specialized in Olympic wrestling, weightlifting, boxing, martial arts, volleyball, basketball, football and chess. Ashtarak is also home to the "Ayrudzi" horse racing club. International relations Twin towns – Sister cities Ashtarak is twinned with: Alfortville, France (since 1993). Notable people Nerses V Ashtaraketsi (1770–1857), Catholicos of all Armenians Perch Proshyan (1837–1907), novelist Smbat Shahaziz (1840–1908), poet Norair Sisakian (1907–1966) Soviet Armenian biochemist and one of the founders of space biology Gevorg Emin (1918–1998), poet Emil Gabrielian (1931-2010), Armenian physician Vardges Petrosyan (1932–1994), playwright and novelist Vazgen Muradian (1921-2018), composer See also Aragatsotn Province References External links Ashtarak official website Armeniapedia.org article on the region Ashtarak Populated places in Aragatsotn Province Tourist attractions in Aragatsotn Province Erivan Governorate Yazidi populated places in Armenia