Several days ago our website published an interview with Ramaz Paliani, former head coach of Georgian boxing team. This interview caused a great turmoil in Georgian boxing. Paliani talked about that unpleasant situation which prevented him from working. The former head coach blamed Vladimer Akhalkatsi, general secretary of the federation, for pressure. He also criticized Kukuri Shavgulidze, current head coach of youth team. According to Paliani, Shavgulidze must be disqualified but he was promoted. Kukuri Shavgulidze contacted us and responded to the charges of Paliani. Here is the interview:

-         Mr. Kukuri, what can you say about the charges of Ramaz Paliani?

-         At the meeting of Boxing Federation, a new president Davit Kvachadze presented his program and plans. He told us how he was going to develop this sport. Then, coaches who will work for different age teams of Georgia were named. Before that, Mr. Davit talked to sportsmen and coaches. One thing is clear, nobody wanted Ramaz Paliani to be head coach of the team. Of course, Davit Kvachadze made adequate decision and he dismissed Paliani. When Paliani heard about his dismissal, he started insulting. First he insulted Vladimer Akhalkatsi and then me. He screamed how they appointed me as a head coach of the youth team because I did not take a sportsman even to the scale at Olympiad. The head coach of the team demanded my disqualification. I do not avoid responsibility but nobody felt is better than Turkadze and me. But it is not the main… I know what disturbs Paliani and I will tell the whole country who is Ramaz Paliani, how he achieved success with dirty ways and now he is trying to keep the position with the same ways.

-         Mr. Kukuri, all boxing fans are interested what happened in London.

-         We arrived in London late, the day before the fight. I have not been at such tournament for 10 years. Unfortunately, we were not given program. On the day of arrival, Merab weighed and everything was alright. Although, he had to weigh the other day too… It was written in that program… in short, we made a big mistake which put us in great stress. We were locked in the room for five days and did not even eat. Representatives of Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs comforted us and tried to help us. Why is Paliani interested in this case most of all? He cannot forgive that Turkadze got at Olympiad without him.

-         It seems you two did not have good relationship neither before this interview. You coached Turkadze mostly. What was the reason?

-         Merab did not want to hear the name of Paliani. He did not feel objectivity from Paliani. He took to Baku World Championship such boxer who did not win even Georgian Championship. The head coach of the team quitted the meeting and brought Turkadze and Tavadze to me. They told me they did not want to stay there. Paliani must have been fired because of failure at World Championship but Petre Tsiskarishvili, president of the federation, protected and did not dismiss him.

Now he is a member of “Georgian Dream” and says Ivanishvili will protect him. He has not read even one book. We cannot say anything bad about Tsiskarishvili. He supported us. Our team had all conditions. Kvachadze and I managed to prepare 5 Olympians while starvation. If these boys had had normal coach before Olympiad, they could have showed the same result. They stated they were taken money out. I have seen them spending even 20 tetris. I received salary and bonus but nobody took them from me…

-         Before Trabzon license tournament, Turkadze did not practice with the team. What was the reason?

-         After World Championship we started preparation for license tournament and I took Turkadze to Ukraine. We did our best to prepare well. Paliani and his friends only drank alcohol in Ukraine. I can say it loudly! I guessed they could do nothing. That is why, when we returned to Georgia I took Turkadze to Kutaisi and continued preparation there. We departed for Trabzon separately. Only Turkadze gained license there. Paliani and his sportsmen were shocked. Then, he wanted to leave for London with Turkadze but the sportsman did not want to see him.

-         How this contradistinction started?

-         Before these events, Paliani tried to take Turkadze to his team with the Kutaisi coach Zaal Javakhadze. They tried to convince Merab that he had to go to all tournaments and coach must not prevent him. I have worked as a coach for 30 years and I always provided the team with boxer. When he talks about my disqualification, let him remember if he had brought up even one boxer… if he is such a good coach, let him work in the gym and prove his strength. When he talks about others, let him remember how he went to Barcelona Olympiad. How he got there. Paliani and his coach Aliosha Japaridze did everything to get there. The sportsman who won CIS tournament participated in Olympiad too. Paliani lost that tournament. The only Georgian Tengiz Meskhadze won the championship but he was left beyond Olympiad thanks to criminal authorities. Russian boxer replaced him and Paliani departed for Barcelona. It happened two weeks before the start of Olympiad. We protested this decision but they told us it was no use… when he says I disgraced Georgia, why he did not remember Georgia at that time. We worked in such difficult conditions and he did not arrive in the national team. While my coaching Aleksandre Dokvadze became champion of Europe, Beka Mkhetsadze, Jemal Shalamberidze, Giorgi Giorgadze became prize winners… we did not disgrace ourselves at international tournaments. European Championship was held among 19-22 years old boxers in December. I coached the team. We started preparation two weeks before the tournament and the boys were on form. We gained silver medal at the tournament. When he talks about my disqualification, let him remember how he drank and insulted referees in Zugdidi. He behaved this way in Ukraine too.

-         Your charges against Paliani are very serious…

-         These are not changes, it is the truth and others will prove it. A new president of the federation talked to boxers and he made decision to dismiss Paliani. He was offered to work with cadets but it is not right. To tell the truth, I am ashamed that I had to respond him this way but I could not leave his insolence without reaction.

-         Where is Merab Turkadze now? Does he practice?

-         Merab resumed practicing in London. He is young. He will show good result.

-         There is not good situation in Boxing Federation. How do you think, what will happen next?

-         New management of the federation does it best to solve the problems and I hope, everything will be alright.

Zaza Letodiani from Kutaisi