Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Levan Kipiani thinks that his subordinate agencies will work more efficiently without Tamaz Tevzadze. He said this at a press conference on Tuesday.
By the decree of January 5th, 2015, the Ministry of Sports and Youth reorganized and the minister will have three deputies instead of 4. Accordingly, Tamaz Tevzadze was relieved of his post and the first deputy will assume his duties. The staff of the Ministry will be 91-man.
Department of International Relations and European Integration was formed in the Ministry with the purpose to fulfill the obligations of the Association Agreement between Georgia and European Union related with sport and youth direction.
Herewith, sports and youth departments will have separate research and analysis departments in the Ministry.
Kipiani thanked Tevzadze for his work and said that there really was a difference of opinion between them. Therefore, this peaceful change will contribute development of Ministry of Sports and progress of Tevzadze. He thinks that his department will work more efficiently without former deputy. He did not make comments on Tevzadze’s statements.
At the press conference was revealed that in 7 million GEL allocated for football, national team coach’s salary is not included. This amount will be spent for preparation of national and aged teams and in participation in some of tournaments. As for the football development program, the minister said that it is in force.
Kipiani also said that clean, new and healthy forces are necessary in the Football Federation. The minister stated that his goal is a decent football federation elections, when there will be a conceptual fight and not personal confrontation.
During a meeting with journalists, the minister touched the program of basketball development as well. He told the media that the funding for the basketball federation has significantly increased and the correct structure of clubs should be formed. 2015 will be a year of transition and the clubs will receive an amount in order not to disperse, and in 2016 the new program of basketball’s development will be implemented.
After the completed press conference at the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, Tevzadze made a comment to the media:
“Explanatory note, which reflects the reorganization, is a topic of separate analysis. This reorganization was artificial. At the time, we arrived in the Ministry together, but Kipiani refused the reform. Since May 2013, I was asking him to make practical steps in order to decide strategic issues. During these years, he digressed to the concept. This was the reason for the disagreement between us. I am proud that we received sports policy document. I do not have any personal rivalry towards him. 6 years ago, I called him and told that I can help with sports issues. At the time, political council of “Georgian Dream” also approved out concept.
I do not think of Levan or myself, but of Georgian Olympic Movement and sport. During the last 2 years the management style has not changed. I will continue fighting. Systemic changes are needed. My goal is not to fight against Levan”.
Tevzadze thinks that today there is no right mechanism of allocating amounts to various federations by the Ministry of Sports. In his opinion, before funding any of the federation, the issue must be studied thoroughly.
