In Belek I lived in that hotel where “Sioni” Bolnisi was settled. You have different idea when you see behavior of football players every day – you feel pulse of the team.

“Sioni” and I were in Turkey with the help of one Turkish company Enda Tour. This company takes many other clubs to the meeting, holds test-matches for them, appoints referees. For example, last year it took German “Schalke”, Belgian “Anderlecht” and other famous people. The company held about 150 meetings and 500 sparring-matches.

If any club refuses to appoint referee, the company finds another referee.

Davit Kenia is a representative of Enda Tour in Georgia. He is a manager and works as a selectionist of “Torpedo” Kutaisi. Kenia works with Goga Gakhokidze and Giorgi Kinkladze at football agency.

Bobgiashvili joked: “One Imeruli Khachapuri, please”, “Where is Satsivi?” – he asked Turkish waiter. He guessed the joke and laughed.

Zviad Sturua, sports director of the club, was always calm. One Polish legionary was always serious. Another Israeli legionary always laughed and took pictures with all football players in the bus.

Head coach Armaz Jeladze attended matches of the opponents. He watched the match of Ukrainian “Hoverla”.

Manager Davit Gogoladze was there too – he is a very energetic and emotional man. Gogoladze was very emotional during the match between “Zimbru” and “Yenisey”. He took three Georgians Tornike Stepniashvili, Konstantine Gabashvili and Bakar Mirtskhulava to “Zimbru”. When Stepniashvili scored a beautiful goal, Gogoladze cried with joy. He told me: “Now I earned 10 years”. 7-8 teams lived in the hotel. “Sioni” seemed the most noisy and joyful team.

The team did its best in friendly matches.

Lado Burduli, general director of the team, was at the meeting too. It was obvious that the football players respected Burduli – some of them were his teammates. Lado had a friendly relationship with the boys.

Now, an interview with Burduli. He told us a new pitch with artificial surface will be built in Bolnisi. “Sioni” will be able to hold matches there:

-         I say this information for the first time now: we are choosing a place in Bolnisi to build the pitch with artificial surface. It will be the stadium like “Bendela” Saburtalo. I am very grateful to new governor of Bolnisi Levan Palavandishvili. This stadium is built with his help. We found three places in Bolnisi and we will choose one of them. Then, tender will be announced.

-         When will this field be ready?

-         We will start the following season there. It will be ready in August and September. This stadium will be built for establishing children’s football school. Many good football players were brought up in Bolnisi. Children will not have to go far. They will practice in Bolnisi. Zviad Sichinava formed these schools in Zugdidi, Ilia Kokaia – in Zestafoni, Roman Pipia – in “Dinamo”. What can be better than laying foundation to future?

-         Very good. What will happen to “Tamaz Stepania” stadium?

-         Of course, it will be kept. “Tamaz Stepania” is better stadium now than it was two-three months ago. We will hold the match of Cup on “Mikheil Meskhi”. Then, we have to hold a match against “Dinamo” Batumi at the end of March. I hope “Tamaz Stepania” will be better then. We will have “Tamaz Stepania” and a new stadium too – two good fields. Do you know the surface has not been changed on “Tamaz Stepania” for 20 years? This field is made of wood. People made it their own. When I heard that, I was astonished. I thank these people.

-         Was not Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs going to make the surface of “Tamaz Stepania”?

-         Perhaps, it will be made. When Mr. Levan Kipiani signs, works will start.

-         You were in Belek with team. Are you satisfied with the Turkish meeting?

-         I am satisfied. I thank Levan Palavandishvili, Malkhaz Eradze and Koba Nakopia. It was a good meeting. I can say the same about the football players: all 23 football players did their best. When I was appointed, I told the boys I would do everything to let them feel themselves as football players. I am 32 years old. I was a football player and I know everything about them.

-         Did not you have awkward moments? Some football players of “Sioni” are of your age…

-         Yes, it was. I told them we must do our work. They know football is their profession. They must keep families. I can say the same about coaching staff, doctor and masseur. We did not show bad result at the meeting. I hope we will advance at the Georgian Championship and Cup too.

Ilia Nanobashvili