TBILISI (Georgia) - FIBA Europe Executive Director, Kamil Novak, led a delegation to visit Tbilisi, Georgia to inspect the construction process of the new basketball arena, ahead of the city’s co-hosting of FIBA EuroBasket 2022.

As part of the visit, meetings were held with the leadership of the Georgian Basketball Federation and Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs of Georgia Mr. Soso Giorgadze to discuss the progress and organizational challenges.

Despite the effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic, progress has been made towards the completion of the state-of-the-art facility that can seat up to 10,000 spectators and meets international standards as the city prepares the host the illustrious tournament for the first time.

"It's amazing to be here, and to see the progress. We know that it is not easy to keep making progress in the time of COVID-19 pandemic. And we were here not only to visit and to inspect but to support as much as we can. It is also very nice to see the presence of the Deputy Minister of Culture and Sports, which is another proof that the country is doing its best," said FIBA Europe Executive Director, Kamil Novak.

"We are looking forward to not only having the EuroBasket here, but also leaving a fantastic legacy for basketball and for all the people in Georgia for many other events."

Mr. Soso Giorgadze, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs of Georgia, commented: "In 2019, we took on the big challenge of having the appropriate infrastructure to host such a high-level event as EuroBasket. It is gratifying that this challenge has been virtually overcome as the construction work on this unique arena draws to a close. The new gym fully meets the standards of not only basketball but also world sports in general. The existence of such infrastructure will allow us to host various events and international tournaments, which will contribute to the development of numerous sports in our country."

Mr. Paata Guraspauli, the President of the Georgian Basketball National Federation added: "First and foremost, many thanks to Mr. Kamil Novak and his accompanies for the visit. Likewise, thanks to the Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth of Georgia, Mr. Soso Giorgadze for coming. We had a joint, very productive working meeting. It is gratifying that the construction of the arena is proceeding according to the schedule. It is significant that for the first time, our country will have a basketball arena of all international standards, which will fully meet the requirements of FIBA and we will successfully host EuroBasket 2022 at a high level.”

Mr. George Kartvelishvili, the Secretary General of the Georgian Basketball Federation, expressed his gratitude for the visit and outlined the plans for the arena.

"Despite the severe pandemic situation in the world as well as in Georgia, the Georgian Basketball Federation, through close cooperation with the Georgian government and the construction companies, managed to prevent the construction process from being delayed," he said.

"The Group Phase of the EuroBasket 2022 will be held in Tbilisi in the new arena equipped with advanced technologies, and this will definitely be the best example of our fruitful cooperation as a new multifunctional sports complex will start functioning in the region. I would like to express my special thanks to FIBA, FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis, FIBA Europe Board, FIBA Europe Secretary General Kamil Novak, and President of the FIBA Europe Turgay Demirel for trust and support. We look forward to seeing you in Tbilisi to celebrate together a successful implementation of our joint project."

Georgia is one of the four nations to co-host next year's flagship event alongside Czech Republic (Prague), Germany (Berlin and Cologne) and Italy (Milan).

FIBA