Over five hundred young athletes from around the world are heading to Los Angeles as the countdown draws near for the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) World Games, Pasadena Now reports.

Set to begin on Saturday, July 28, 2012, the event promises excitement and thrills both on and off the court, as the organization’s youth take part in various sports competitions, social events and excursion tours as part of an AGBU tradition that dates back to 1955.

The World Games’ week-long series of activities will kick off at the opening ceremony on Sunday, July 29, 2012 at the Pasadena City College Stadium. There, Hollywood actor David Foster, as well as Armenian singers Silva Hakobyan and Hovhannes Shahbazyan, will take the stage and welcome participants who are traveling from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, France, Uruguay and the United States.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is expected to draw thousands. In the days that follow, the athletes will compete in basketball, chess, soccer, swimming, track and field and volleyball, relying on skills they’ve developed throughout the year with their local AGBU Chapter teams.