“World Sport” has already written that Gia Isiani, manager of “Dila” Gori, presented a very interesting project recently. This project is called “Strengthening the role of the government in effective development of football in regions” (the full version of this project is presented below). It is a quite long project regarding budget teams (five are in Georgia: “Dila” Gori, “Zugdidi”, “Sioni” Bolnisi, “Kolkheti” Poti and “Dinamo” Batumi). According to the project, the government must finance clubs for three years and then, these clubs must become interesting for sponsors and businessmen. Proper planning and proper management are the most important. In case of financing, a monitoring group consisting of specialists, representatives of the clubs and journalists must be formed. They will control money.
Gia Isiani visited us at the editorial office of “World Sport”. Before talking about this project, we asked him for a comment about the recent incident.
- Two days ago Roman Pipia, president of “Dinamo” Tbilisi, stated that the federation must react on taking away matches of “Dila” from bookmakers’ program. It is not the first fact when “Dila” is charged with arranging matches…
- We know this statement and we responded to it on our website. First of all, we support fair play. If someone doubts, there is GFF code of ethics. There is a committee of ethics too. They can apply to lawyers and find out. Before that Ilia Kokaia, president of “Zestafoni”, appealed in Prosecutor’s Office. Has he proved anything? Two days ago bookmakers took away “Dinamo”-“Guria” match. What should we do now? Shall we cry it was arranged? Such attitude is not serious. We do not have to prove anything. We know we are right. We do not support such facts in football.
- Tell us about the project. What does a 3-year guarantee mean?
- I presented the project to Zviad Sichinava, president of GFF, and Levan Kipiani, minister of Sport and Youth Affairs. Both of them support me. Now they expect for our clubs’ consolidation. It is pleasant that media is very active. I want to thank your colleagues. Nothing can be done without you.
3-year guarantee does not mean to transfer money on the account of the club. The club will work with this project for many years and then, it will be easier for investor to offer.
- Opponents say the project is interesting but there is nothing new in it…
- Why? Let us take insurance system of football players. It does not exist in Georgia now. Giorgi Oniani got injured in the match against “Sioni” and he was operated on spine. Fortunately, the operation went on well. A lot of people were at the hospital. I was there too. I want to express my support to Giorgi by your website. But there is no system which will defend football players in such situation. Injury is not insured in Georgia. I have talked to some serious insurance companies and I found out that they do not have right information about injuries. I will provide them with statistic data and I will show them that they must not be afraid.
- Where is a guarantee that the club will have an owner after 3 years?
- Right work will give us this guarantee. Today nobody wants to buy a club. But when the structure will be improved, somebody will want to buy it.
- Opponents say: why I must finance my opponent from my money?
- Why from his money? It is money of state budget and the government defines priorities. It is up to the government where it will invest money in football, basketball, wrestling or somewhere else. What we can do when Georgian Public Broadcasting buys matches of UEFA from our money.
In short, if we unite, it will be useful and profitable. There are five budget teams now. But perhaps “Spartak” Tskhinvali and “Guria” Lanchkhuti will move from First League.
Photo by Khatia Jijeishvili
Solomon Gulisashvili
