Georgian Rugby Union under patronage of Tbilisi City Hall and International Rugby Board started serious work and since that time Georgian clubs will be able to show their possibilities in International tournaments. Two Romanian clubs, one Ukrainian and three Georgians will start European club tournament in Tbilisi. “World Sport” met head of Georgian Rugby Union Gia Nijaradze and took interview about future tournament as well as other important topics.

Gia Nijaradze: "Clubs from such Rugby countries as we are have lack of International practice. Of course, Georgian clubs have chance to participate in international tournaments. Though, according to our opinions and recommendations of IRB to do it in the nearest future is thoughtless. In one hand, participations in Challenge Cup is very expensive for Georgian clubs and none of them will not be able to play in this tournament, even if Rugby Union will help them. To participate in this tournament costs 350 000 EUR and none of our club has this possibility. On the other hand, to play against much stronger clubs when the result is known beforehand will cause demoralization and psychological problems. Georgian fans also will not be satisfied when they see how lose Georgian clubs with British clubs with very big difference.

According to it there is idea to create tournament for such clubs as Georgian clubs are. This was our idea and for a long time we were asking IRB for help. At last we took concept from them and was created idea oh holding “The Black Sea Cup”. According to negotiations, 4Russian and 2-2 Georgian and Romanian clubs will take place in this tournament. Unfortunately Politics involved in it and against Russian Rugby Union’s wish (I am sure in it) Russian clubs could not arrive. We decided Russian clubs will be replaced with Ukrainian ones. Ukrainian championship is better than ours according to finance conditions. Infrastructure, clubs’ conditions, salary even cannot compare to our conditions. So, according to our agreement 2 Romanian clubs, which would be offered by Romanian Rugby Union and 2 best Ukrainian teams would come. Among them would be our 2 clubs.
According to IRB agreement, we were given right that 2 best Georgian clubs would be given right to strengthen their staff with rugby players who participates in Georgian championship. Georgian clubs will be play with “Lelo” (Champion) and “Batumi XV”(the 2^nd place) names. But during this time they will be team clubs. Unfortunately, at last moment Ukrainian club “Aviator” which had serious finance problems refused to participate in “The Black Sea Cup”.
We informed IBR about this and they offered Portugal, but there was left so little time that they could not organize in such short time period and yesterday we got letter where Portugal thanked us for proposal, but this year they cannot arrive and participate in this tournament. Next year they will participate with great pleasure. So, we decided that this year the 3rd Georgian club bronze prize-winner “Lokomotiv” will play in this tournament and we will have 3 Georgian, 2 Romanian, one Ukrainian clubs. It is very important to create history of this tournament and then I am sure it will become so prestige that the best clubs of this region will always participate in it".

-To hold such tournament needs much finance …

- It was very important to give right of holding this tournament. Finance side was one of the biggest problems. It was our idea and did not want to give chance of holding this tournament for other. Georgia needs to hold international tournaments. We have to show to the world that we have possibilities of holding such tournaments. Tbilisi City Hall will finance “The Black Sea Cup”. Whole budget is about half million and most part of it will be paid by Tbilisi City Hall, other expanses will be given from IBR. Georgian side will finance everything except clubs’ journeys.

- What will be format of the tournament?

- All matches will be held on the stadium named after Mkheil Meskhi. On August 24 will start tournament and will last till September 5. There will be 2 sub-groups with 3 teams. Each team will have 2 matches in one round. After this the best team of the group will meet each other in final match. The 2nd place teams will fight for the 3rd place. Other teams will fight for the 5th place.
- Odessa “ Kredo 63” will come from Ukraine, which teams will come from Rumania?

- “Bucharest” and “Arad” (V-VI places in Championship) will come from Romania. I think those teams will be reinforced by rugby players from other clubs.

- Why the first- second place prize-winners did not come here?

-Rumania has difficult year. There is some disorder in federation, their teams have to play repechage with Uruguay, but it is not our business. In fact Romanian Championship is better than ours. These teams maybe better than our leading teams. 3 matches were broadcasted by TV, attendance will be free, he/she who loves rugby will not see better performance.

- You said that this tournament will become tradition. Will Georgia host it again in future?

- First there was such idea that every year its holding place will be changeable. It has big importance how we will hold this tournament. We will fight and I think holding “The Black Sea Cup” in Tbilisi will become tradition. Main is that to get high estimation from IRB and then with their and Tbilisi City Hall can be solved any problem.

- “The Black Sea Cup” tournament was held last year, but among cadet teams. Holding this tournament also had to become tradition but this year it could not be held.

- It was caused those countries’ federations who would participate in this tournament. We had negotiations with them under European Rugby Board. We had hard talk at the IRB meeting in Malta. It was not critics, my report was much more than it. When you agreed about anything, it must be fulfilled. Representatives of Russian, Ukrainian, Romanian, Moldovian Rugby Unions were criticized much from our side. Their expenses were only their jouneys and how would be our hospitality known for everyone. We had prepared everything for this tournament. FIRA, which condemned other federations’ behavior, maybe hold U17 European Championship in Georgia.

- “Mikheil Meskhi” stadium was given to Georgian Football Federation, will it cause problems to hold rugby matches on it?

- It is not possessed by them officially, but soon will be. This tournament does not have any problem. We had negotiations with our colleagues in Football Federation and they support us. It is clear that this fact cause problems for us, “Mikheil Meskhi” spare stadium was for rugby by tradition.

- When finishes reconstruction of “Shevardeni” base and “Sinatle” stadium?

- In autumn both of them will be ready, except of hotel at “Shevardeni”.

-  Where will be held the 2nd round matches of Georgian Championship?

- Again on “Mikheil Meskhi” stadium and in Varketili. “Shevardeni” and “Sinatle” will not be used this year. Maybe we will use artificial loans.

- Is it recommended to play rugby on artificial –loan stadium?

- It is special rugby loan and does not look like football artificial loans. Just it is prohibited to hold international matches on it, but taking under consideration our climate we have to hold these matches there. We have super-modern artificial-lean stadium.

- As it was known reconstruction of “Shevardeni” base had to finish in March, why has it lasted for such long time?

- There were new ideas within working, the process of finding out companies which will build this base lasted for much time. Building process will be finished in September, but we told ourselves to “Kartu” not to hurry up. Because this year loan needs rest and no one is going to play there. We were waiting for so long time and will wait a little to get this miracle what will be after building. I want to use this chance and thank “Kartu”, but I do not have enough words to express how grateful I am. Also, thanks government which helps us not only financial also with giving us lands.

- When is planned to build hotel at “Shevadeni”?

-For next year in June, when Georgian National Team will train there for World Championship.

- Who will be assistants of Richard Dickson new head coach of Georgian National Rugby Team?

- We name only those who have already signed up agreement. This is Australian John Maglton, who is coach of defenders. It is fact that he is one of the best specialists in the world. For many years he was defenders’ coach of Australian National Team. In 1999, when Australia became World Champion Maglton was defenders’ coach at this time. We are happy due to this agreement. Now negotiations with fitness coach are coming to an end. He is also Australian. He is not just good, top-coach and now works in one British club. Only two assistants names are not known, who will work with back and attack lines. I want to assure you that we will have serious coach staff. The budget will be the same as it was with Tim Lein and his assistants. We have chosen the best variant.

- Do not you think that changing coach staff of National Team was already late?

- No, I do not think so. First of all I want to say that we did not fire Lein and those problems and reasons were last year too. Lein did everything what was possible, but he could not do what we are asking to do. Unfortunately everything was in such critical condition that we did not have right of risk. Next 4-year development of Georgian Rugby is based on playing in World Championship. Lein tried but could not do those what had to be done beyond the team. He had to work with coaches, players, academies and he could not do it. New coaches will be able to do it. I hope that we will sign agreement with coaches for physical training. You are supposed to remember Nicola Fulckie, who trained our rugby players for World Championship un 2007. I will say you our guys’ words- multiply Fulckie thousand times and that will be our new coach of physical training…

Zura Ksovreli