Two days ago “World Sport” published an interview with Ramaz Paliani, former head coach of Georgian boxing team. He called the decision of Boxing Federation unfair and blamed Vladimer Akhalkatsi, general secretary of the federation. Beka Lobzhanidze, former member of the Georgian team, Koba Pkhakadze, current member of the team, and his personal coach Zaal Javakhadze responded to this issue. Like Paliani, Lobzhanidze visited us at the office and demanded from us to publish his interview.

“Three years ago, at the age of 28, when I was at the peak of my career I was forced to leave boxing. I was a captain of the Georgian team and competed in the tournament regularly. I did my work and had no problem unless I stepped over the interest of Vova Akhalkatsi, current general secretary of the federation. In 2010 Amateur Boxing Federation formed professional league where only amateur boxers could be involved. I was at the meeting in Ukraine and filled the application with the help of one of the Ukrainian coaches. Soon clubs were formed and those boxers who sent the applications to the international federation received invitations. Koba Pkhakadze and I were invited by Azerbaijani club. We were called up to sign contract and we departed. They paid all expenses. Before leaving for Baku, Akhalkatsi called me to meet in the federation and told me that 25 per cent of the financial income from the professional boxing belonged to Georgian Boxing Federation and I had to pay. I thought it was a rule but while signing contract, one of the managers of the Azerbaijani club explained to legionary boxers that those money were only ours. At the end of the year the club would transfer 10 per cent of our income to the account of our local federation. The season started, I got knew my teammates and I found out that they did not pay money to their federations.  When I received the first bonus, Akhalkatsi asked me why I did not keep my promise. I told him the truth and he got angry. I asked him to show official document that I had to pay money. Of course, such document did not exist and I told him I was not going to give him money. Since that day he caused a lot of trouble to me. I did not have salary for being member of the Georgian team anymore. Soon Giorgi Arsoshvili, governor of Shida Kartli, received letter from Boxing Federation. It was written in the letter that there were many violations in the boxing gym of Gori. I was a director of the gym and you can easily guess why this letter was written. Paata Giorgadze, secretary of the governor, told me to meet him. I told him to check each detail because I had no violations. Soon I met Akhalkatsi again and he threatened me that they would find violations even if they did not exist. I was not afraid of him but when he mentioned member of my family I understood I could not do anything against him. “Do not forget that your brother has a suspended sentence. Drugs will be found and everything will be over” – Akhalkatsi threatened me. I promised him to transfer money on the account of the federation. He told me to give him 2500 USD. I did so. Koba Pkhakadze gave him 5 000 USD.  Zaal Javakhadze, personal coach of Pkhakadze, was also forced to give him money. Akhalkatsi reminded me to pay money each month. I did not do it and… I was dismissed from the position of the director of the gym. I was not allowed even to enter the gym. Employees of the gym were warned that they would have problems because of me. I was not in the team anymore. Only one man Vova Akhalkatsi did this everything. I tried to practice individually but then I left boxing. Unfortunately, one man destroyed my career and this man is still one of the managers of the federation. I told Davit Kvachadze, new president of the federation, that if he thinks about development of this sport he must fire Akhalkatsi first of all. But he does do it. Future generation is in his hands”.

After listening to Beka Lobzhanidze, “World Sport” contacted those people who he mentioned.

Koba Pkhakadze:
“I filled the application for participating in professional boxing after the end of World Championship in 2009. When I received invitation from Baku, Akhalkatsi told me I had to pay 25 per cent of financial income to the federation. In the end we agreed on 20 per cent and I gave him more than 5 000 USD in half year. At the end of 2009 I gave him 3 000 USD. Then, I paid 660 USD for 4 months. To tell the truth, I do not know where this money went. Lobzhanidze did not pay and he was forced to end up career. I gave him everything he asked for. He also threatened me with causing trouble to my relatives”.

Zaal Javakhadze:

“I received bonus twice – in 2009 and in 2010 when my pupil Koba Pkhakadze won bronze medals at World and European Championships. I paid to Vova Akhalkatsi, general secretary of the federation, twice. He demanded 25 per cent of the bonus. He calculated bonus. When I asked the law, he told he was the law. He said he had green light from Petre Tsiskarishvili. I asked where my money went and he answered – to the pensions. At that time, the Georgian teams did not have doctor abroad because of financial crisis. Beka Lobzhanidze made statement about it. He is the sportsman whose career was destroyed because of money. I want to support all those victim sportsmen and fight for justice with them but I could not arrive in Tbilisi because of domestic problems”.
 

P.S. “World Sport” is ready to let Vladimer Akhalkatsi and all accused show their positions.

 

Otar Maglakelidze