Yesterday, everyone talked about the return of Shota Khabareli on the position of a head coach. Khabareli confirmed this information in an interview with our website but…

Another official statement was made twenty hours after this interview. Giorgi Aleksidze, president of Georgian Judo Federation, refused changes in the coaching staff. Khabareli also confirmed that events developed differently.

“World Sport” contacted Giorgi Aleksidze.

- Can you please tell us what is going on?

- I am surprised too. I learnt about the return of Shota Khabareli to the team from mass media.

- So, this information was rumor?

- Yes, it was. Consultations have been carried out but not about leaving of Seisenbacher.

- It is said that one of the reasons of the visit of Marius Vizer, president of International Judo Federation, was replacement of Seisenbacher with Khabareli… Khabareli confirmed this information in the conversation with “World Sport”…

- It is not true. Vizer just expressed his completely neutral opinion about this issue – he said it was up to us. It is just rumor.

- What was the main reason of Vizer’s arrival in Tbilisi?

- Gia Natsvlishvili, president of the national Olympic committee, invited him.

- Two contradictory information was spread in two days. Should expect other news in a few days?

- Nothing will change. Peter Seisenbacher is still a head coach of the team. Besides that, Shota Khabareli is a vice-president of the federation he will supervise the preparation of the team.

After talking to Giorgi Aleksidze, “World Sport” contacted Shota Khabareli.

- Yesterday, you told us that you would return to the team. Today, this information is excluded. What is going on?

- It was not my initiative and I have not refused this time too. I just agreed on suggestion. That is all.

- You said that you did not want to work with Seisenbacher in case of the return to the team…

- It is not true. I have not said that. I just generally knew that it would return.

- What has changed in one day?

- I do not know. Maybe they changed their minds.

- Can you tell us who suggested you to return to the team?

- I will only say that it is much higher instance that the judo federation.
 

Otar Maglakelidze