A lot of perspective sportsmen left Georgia because of poor living and playing conditions. 18-year-old volleyball player Ani Shermadini is one of them. She is one of the leaders of “Alcobendas” in Superliga 2.

“World Sport” talked to Ani Shermadini.

- Tell us about yourself.

- I was born in Tbilisi on November 29, 1994. I have a sister, brother and mother. My father passed away 5 years ago. I am 184 cm and I weigh 65 kg.

- How did you get in Spain?

- On April 28, 2011, I departed for Spain with “Batumi” volleyball team to participate in international tournament hosted by Santa Susanna. Managers of the local team got interested in me and offered to play for “Alcobendas”. Soon, I arrived in Spain and transferred to “Alcobendas”. The team will play in Superliga 1 from 2013-14.

- You could have chosen tennis and basketball. Why did you choose volleyball?

- I like basketball but I think it is for man. At first I went in for tennis. It is very expensive sport and I gave up because of financial problems. Then I practiced taekwondo but I did not like it and gave it up. Finally, I made my choice on volleyball which my sister practiced.

- Did you like volleyball?

- Yes, I did. I love it so much that I cannot imagine my life without it. I want to become professional.

- Why did you leave Georgia? Could not you become professional in Georgia?

- There are no conditions for becoming professional in Georgia.

- What do you mean?

- How you can become professional when you practice in partly destroyed gym and with torn ball.

- If you are offered Spanish citizenship, will you agree?

- Of course, I will.

- Will you leave your homeland so easily?

- I know it will be hard but I have no choice.

- Will you return to Georgia after leaving active sport?

- Of course, I will. Besides my mother and siblings, I have a boyfriend in Georgia. I want to have a Georgian family.

- Is your boyfriend a sportsman?

- Yes, he is. He plays for one of the basketball teams in Georgia.

- What is his name?

- He is three years older and 17 cm taller than me. He is Georgian from Kutaisi. I cannot tell you anything else.

Roland Labuchidze