Basketball season 2010-2011 will be more interesting for Georgian fans than it was before. Besides, that number of participant teams has increased up to 11, some Georgian basketball players who were playing abroad returned to the national championship. These players are: Koka Tomaradze (Spain), Davit Ugrekhelidze (Slovenia), Mikheil Berishvili (Spain). "Sokhumi" added legionaries. American brothers Richard and Carl Damus have already joined the club. Talks are conducted with third American player Mike Maker and perhaps, he will join "Sokhumi" too. Georgian basketball player Lasha Pargalava will play for "Sokhumi" too. He was playing in the USA and is friend of Damus and Maker.
Here is an interview with brothers Damus and Lasha Pargalava.
- Please, tell us briefly about yourselves...
Richard Damus - We were born in one of the beautiful states of America, Florida. I am 27 years old. Carl is 2 years younger than me. I can play on 3 and 4 numbers, Carl is central player.
- You are professional players or...
Carl Damus - I have been playing basketball for 15 years and Richard - for 17 years. Besides, that we got higher education, we are not going to leave basketball yet.
- Where did you play last?
Richard Damus - In 2009 we played for "Sibi Manson" (Spain) but soon we returned to America.
- How did you get to Georgia?
Carl Damus - With the help of our friend Lasha Pargalava.
- When is your contract expired with "Sokhumi"?
Richard Damus - We will stay in Georgia till the end of the season and then we will see.
- Did you like Georgia?
Carl Damus - It is the second day we are here. We have not seen much but what we saw was good. Especially, we liked nature.
- Have you heard anything about Georgian basketball?
Richard Damus - No, we do not know Georgian basketball.
- Perhaps you know, that the Soviet team beat the USA and won gold medal at 1972 Munich Summer Olympics. Two Georgian players Zurab Sakandelidze and Mikheil Korkia played for the Soviet team. Have not you heard anything about them?
Carl Damus - Referees made the USA team lose in the final of Munich Olimpics. We heard for the first time that Georgian basketball players played for that Soviet team.

Now let us listen to Lasha Pargalava
- What can you say about third legionary of "Sokhumi" Maker?
- Unlike brothers Damus, Maker is white man who can play on 2-3 and 4 numbers.
- Is it real that Maker will play for "Sokhumi"?
- If nothing unforeseen happens, Maker will play for "Sokhumi".
- Why did you decide to play in Georgian national championship?
- I have some invitations from abroad but I preferred to play for "Sokhumi". I made this decision because managers of "Sokhumi" have serious goals.
- What are these goals?
- Minimum programme is to be in top four.
- In which case will American legionaries stay in "Sokhumi"?
- American players will stay in "Sokhumi", if we go through the semifinal.


Roland Labuchidze