The extraordinary elections of Georgian Wrestling Federation took place on December 26 in Vake “Wrestling Club”, in which 4 candidates took part: Roman Rurua, Manuchar Kvirkvelia, Giorgi Makasarashvili and Valeri Gelashvili. Rurua and Makasarashvili withdrew their candidatures. Kvirkvelia faced MP Valeri Gelashvili and defeated him 59:43.
The congress started at 14:20. 106 delegates of 109 attended the congress. Rurua opened this meeting. Temur Kazarashvili was chosen as a chairman. It can be said that Kazarashvili did his job well and the congress was held without excesses.
Manuchar Kvirkvelia: “In case of my victory, the Federation will be focused on consequences. Many gym-halls should be opened. We should appoint salary to athletes by their merit. Veterans should not be left without attention. I convinced several businessmen to help promising wrestlers, first of all to Geno Petriashvili”.
Valeri Gelashvili: “It is a great honor for me to enter this building, which I left at the age of 18 due to injury. In case of my victory, I will reconstruct the “wrestling club”. Those, who will win the World and Olympic games, I will purchase an apartment with my own sources. The tension in the wrestling world should be ended. If this not adjusted, nothing will work. President’s unilateral solution of any issue is unacceptable for me. In case of victory, I will receive advices from all members of Federation and will decide issues together”.
The delegates Davit Gobejishvili, Ramaz Nozadze and Edisher Machaidze asked questions to both candidates. Roman Rurua and veteran wrestler Leri Khabelov addressed to the delegates. After this, the secret ballot has begun, in which 105 delegates of 106 took part. As for the 106th delegate, he did not take part due to undefined reason.
After the congress, “World Sport” talked to several participants
Giorgi Makasarashvili:
-Why did you and Rurua withdraw your candidatures?
-I, Rurua and Kvirkvelia were in the same camp and that’s why it does not have a sense to participate in it, so I and Mr. RuRua withdrew our candidatures.
-Gelashvili had better program. In your opinion, why the wrestling world said no to his proposals?
-Gelashvili was vice-president for a long time and if he wanted to do something, he could do at least one tenth.
Davit Gobejishvili:
-Mr. Davit, do you think that decent person won the elections?
-The majority decided so. Kvirkvelia won over opponent by 16 votes and this is not a little.
-Kvirkvelia was a good athlete, who managed to win all the titles, but has not worked on any of positions in Federation. However, he has a private business. Do you think that business experience will be enough to fulfill the duties of president?
-If he could not perform it, he will share the fate of Kurtanidze.
