“Ketsbaia does not have a magic stick… Ketsbaia can save the national team when the football situation will improve. We only blame this one person and do not see what is going on”.

“Based on everything, as “Barcelona” does not have a “potential” of bad playing, Georgian national team cannot play good football”.

“Football “beat” me, helped me to overcome a lot, taught me pain and that is why I am worrying about the current situation we are in”.

“What is going on in our children’s football is like “abortion” – we are killing talent”.

“I am ready to participate in elections and in case of my victory we will see progress in Georgian football in several years”.

“President of Georgian Football Federation stated that he could not understand football… he states this like it is something to be proud of”.

“On the other hand, I have nothing against Sichinava – he is an appointed president”.

These are the words of one of the founders of “Our Football” Mikheil Kavelashvili. Former forward of Georgian national football team lives in Switzerland and is disappointed that he is not able to do good things in his home country. Kavelashvili has not been guest of Georgian press or TV channels for a long time. Here is a long interview with him:

- “Our Football” has not been so active lately…

- We always wanted to hold talks but we have to repeat the same things. Who wants to see reality of Georgian football he/she sees it. Nothing has changed. People are told that something has changed and we have progress. Which body is controlling football? The federation and the president of it stated that he could not understand football. Also, he made such paradoxical statements that I cannot make comments. If you ask me Zviad Sichinava played a worker’s role than manager of Georgian football. He repaired the building of GFF and “Basa” base which has been opened for 5 times. Everything was made with finances of the government and other individuals. Where is a novelty? Where is any program and proof that we are having progress? We have no time for laughing. We must know that professionals have to run football and not such people who state they do not understand football. One person told me: “President of German Football Union has never been a football player”. Ok, he was not a football player but do you know how good manager he is? And is Sichinava a strong manager? My opinion is that something needs to change. You cannot support me but support the truth.

- Your team is the only team which is against the federation. What are you going to do?

- Presidential elections must be held but not such elections which were held lately. This is an appointment and it has nothing to do with elections. You know, now people will say Kavelashvili wants to become a president… I repeat again. You cannot support me but please support football, a right plan. I am ready to participate in elections even tomorrow and in case of victory we will have progress in several years. I am not boasting. I have a program. Today, the federation does not feel any responsibility toward fans. They should be responsible for what they are doing.

- Opponents will tell you to show them your plan at first.

- I should show the plan now when nobody needs it? I know how it happens: election campaign starts three months earlier, showing plans. When were normal fair elections held here? Everybody got used to today’s reality and they do not ask for something new. I want to say something about journalists: what I listen to and read is very unprofessional level. Of course, I do not mean everybody. There are only chaos and empty illusions in Georgian football. Now when I am saying all this, people will think about me as an intriguer. I do not lose my hope because of our children’s talent. I am sorry for them. We have talents till 16-17-18 ages and then they are lost, they could not develop. According to FIFA regulations, you cannot take 14-15 years old child abroad and he will not be able to play for any team if parents do not go with them. It needs a lot of procedures. So, children cannot develop here, cannot go abroad and is left without football. Besides infrastructure, there are no human resources in football. We know football level in Spain but they develop it again. I know other countries’ football industry and I know what is going on. Georgia is in gulf. What is going in our children’s football is like “abortion” – we are killing talent. Georgian child is talented but is so behind foreigner with education and preparation that…

- If you were president of the federation, will development of children’s football be priority?

- You cannot start from concrete one in football. There are a lot of directions. How many directions does the federation follow? If it does not follow management, it is no use whether the federation heads Georgian football, travel or building agencies? The president of GFF stated that he could not understand football and he states this like it is something to be proud of… He was a president of “Baia” before coming to the federation. He would have better stayed there. Now, “Baia” has financial problems. On the other hand, I do not blame Sichinava. He is an appointed president.

- “Today, there are such illusions that the national team is one step away from European Championship” – I remember you stated it when the national team had no loss and had a chance of going through the final stage…

- Today, we all look at the national team and are happy with each victory. Nothing has changed. What do we call success? Based on everything, as “Barcelona” does not have a “potential” of bad playing, Georgian national team cannot play good football. We start qualifying round well due to talent. When we lose we call it occasional. I know success of Ketsbaia means that we played better than in the previous qualifying round.

How can we become successful? Ketsbaia does not have a magic stick… Ketsbaia can save the national team when the football situation will improve. We only blame this one person and do not see what is going on.

- And a way out?

- I have already stated it. Fair and business situation – otherwise we will still be in gulf. Football “beat” me, helped me to overcome a lot, taught me pain and I became professional. I never touch a person but when something is not going well I will fight against everyone. When I see fakeness no one can stop me. I have already stated about the way out – professionals must work in the head of Georgian football. We need novelties and development plans. I feel sorry for these talented children. Georgian U-16 team lost to Belgium 0:9. Is it occasional? Do you know what will happen after 0:9? They will fire head coach and that is all. “Job is done”. Do you think it is fault of only the coach? When we lost to Spain 2:7, only Otar Gabelia was dismissed. Such talks are going on about Ketsbaia too. But problem is in head!

- Some people stated that some groups are acting against Ketsbaia? Are you competent in this issue?
- No, I do not know about it. I said a lot to think about. We will be in such situation while appointments not elections will be in the federation.
 

Ilia Nanobashvili