Luka Kurtanidze on of the titled representative of Georgian current wrestling, 2 – time world champion and 5-time Europe champion in free-style wrestling blames National Wrestling Federation in discrimination. ”National Council” where are famous sportsmen is to send complaint to International Wrestling Federation.
On August 26-30 World Championship of beach wrestling will be hosted in the city of Chernogoria, Budva. This style of wrestling develops now. In Georgia it is also new thing, but one Georgian wrestler has already got international experience and gained the first medal. Last month, Luka Kurtanidze gained silver medal in world championship, which was held in Varna. This year he was planning to improve his result, what he mentioned several times. But it has recently been decided that Georgian delegation leave for Chernogoria without Kurtanidze.
“Supposedly, we leave for Budva with three sportsmen. Raul Tavartkiladze secretary of Adjara Sport, Monuments Protection and Culture minister has official invitation, because he has to given flag after championship. Next year beach world championship will be hosted in Batumi. Me and Beldukh Gavashelidze will go on our expanses and will take place in championship”. stated general secretary of Wrestling National Federation Malkhaz Jorbenadze in talk with “World Sport” and added that there was Kurtanidze in preliminary list but after finding out that would not be finance his going was excluded.
“World Sport” talked to Luka Kurtanidze.
Luka Kurtanidze: It is contrived reason.3-man delegation was decided a long time ago and no there is nothing supposedly. No one leaves for Chernogoria with his one expanse. Believe me, it is very dirty case in reality. I am against of their politics and that’s why they do not want me to participate there..
- Why do you have such decision?
- Last year, after participations in World Championship I was appointed as a head coach of beach wrestling team. But since that time I became member of opposition party (Democratic movement- United Georgia) I was fired from this position. But in spite of this I was not thinking that they would be against of my participation in World Championship, but… They said that was not enough finance and would not go to championship. I guessed at once that, they were against of it. The complaint of “Representative National Council”, which was sent to Ministry of Sport and Wrestling Federation had some result. I had meeting and provided them with all necessary documents. We would be four in delegation. I have recently come to federation and I got shocked. Three members of delegation had already prepared all the documents and I had to prepare everything myself. I had to care about visa and journey details, main “surprise”- I had to care about my expanses myself.
- Are you still going leave for Chernogoria?
- I was aparted from Georgian team and to go there alone will be insulting form me. To tell the truth I do not have mood for it now. Everyone who is around me knows how I was preparing for this championship. I do not deserve it. For 30 years I was doing everything with whole heart and soul for my country. In spite of a lot of proposals I did not change my country to millions. I came across a lot of problems but I have never reproached it with any one. God forbid of doing it, but sometimes I think maybe it would be better to act other way.
- As we know National Council is to send letter to FILA..
- I did not want such final but we do not have other choice. I restrained, I hoped that they would not make such stupid decision. We will send letter not only FILA, also to International Olympic Commettee. We will inform them that due to political trust there is discrimination in World and Europe championship. I am sure that international sport society will have adeque raction to this fact. Overseas I save my country’s name and honor and there no one interests what kind political trust I have. Unfortunately, here some people have other opinions about it. Here having different view is criminal and I will fight to destroy such attitude till the end.
Wrestling International Federation in beach wrestling has already named Batumi as an official host city of World Championship 2011. If there was not guarantee of holding this championship according to high standards it would not be held in Batumi. When you got so big responsibility you should thing only about it. Finally, until we will host this championship, as minimum we should create national team. For Georgian Wrestling Federation to finance beach wrestling is a problem. To send sportsman (considering all details) to Chernogoria costs about 1000 USD.
Otar Maglakelidze
