The transfer of forward Tornike Shengelia to the CSKA basketball has caused a public outcry in Georgia. The athlete has been mercilessly criticized by both fans and the first person in the state. President Salome Zurabishvili said that for her the athlete’s action is unacceptable.
“For me, as the president of Georgia, the decision of the captain of the Georgian basketball team to move to Moscow CSKA is sad and unacceptable,” the politician wrote on Facebook.
From a sporting point of view, the transfer of Shengelia to CSKA has become a big event for basketball Europe. One of the continent's best forwards has signed a red-blue contract for three years, which also provides for the possibility of moving to any NBA club. However, now he has to make excuses for his decision to pursue a career in Russia.
“Every summer I will have the opportunity to go to any American team, if an interesting proposal comes in. I just want to play basketball. Circumstances do not determine who I am. I, Tornike Shengelia, the bearer of the spirit of Georgia in Spain, America, Russia, anywhere. The decision to play in CSKA did not change my attitude towards my people, my homeland, and I hope that the attitude of people towards me will not change either, ”Shengelia responded to criticism on the Rustavi 2 broadcast.
Commenting on his move to CSKA, Shengelia said he was ready to help the new club achieve victories in various tournaments. He also noted that he chose this team because of the high level of its players and coaches.
“I am happy to join the current Euroleague champions and look forward to playing next to the amazing basketball players and under the leadership of the amazing coaching staff. I hope that together with CSKA we will achieve great success in the Euroleague and VTB League, ”said Shengelia.
The head coach of the army team Dimitris Itoudis was also pleased with the transaction. He emotionally reacted to the appearance of the captain of the Georgian national team in his team.
“Congratulations to Toko, because he showed a HUGE - in capital letters - desire to play for CSKA. We followed him for many years and in the end made this transfer. I hope that Toko together with other players will help us to remain among the strongest teams in European basketball. He is a universal player with a great desire to fight, and now he is in his prime. Therefore, I officially say Toko “welcome” and I wish that his spirit and skill met our expectations, ”the club’s official website quotes the expert.
The 28-year-old basketball player can be called one of the best forwards playing outside of North America. Last season, Shengelia took sixth place in the performance index, gaining an average of 15.9 points per game and making 5.6 rebounds. He repeatedly entered the lists of statistical leaders of various tournaments and fell into symbolic teams.
However, at the club level, Shengelia has not yet won big victories. He began his career in the Spanish “Valencia” and the Belgian “Charleroi”, after which for two years he tried to gain a foothold in the NBA clubs “Brooklyn Nets” and “Chicago Bulls”, but eventually returned to Europe. Since 2014, the Georgian basketball player has continuously played for the “Basque Country”, which so far cannot be attributed to European giants. Only immediately before leaving the Basque club Shengelia was able to lead him to the first victory in the championship of Spain in ten years.
Shengelia earned the right to join the team, which is capable of fighting for victory in the Euroleague. However, according to the basketball player himself, “Real” and “Milan” who showed some interest in him as a result did not begin to draw up a deal. Forward was intercepted by CSKA, considered the most stable European team and most often made it to the “Final Four” of the most prestigious club tournament.
Nevertheless, the passage of Shengelia caused indignation in his homeland, the Georgian portal Ambebi reported. Fans began to accuse him of lack of patriotism. Some users of social networks drew attention to the fact that the forward will now represent a club associated with the Russian army, which allegedly occupied the territory of Georgia. Others fear that now Shengelia will become an instrument of mythical Russian propaganda, as if directed against its own country.
It is worth noting that at present many Georgian athletes are already performing in Russia. These include footballers Solomon Kverkvelia, Gia Grigalava and Khvich Kvaratskhelia. Manuchar Markoishvili has already played for CSKA in the past, but he did not have to deal with such criticism. Resentment over Shengelia may be due to the fact that he is the captain of his team and one of the most famous Georgian athletes at the moment.
The striker himself has already denied allegations of lack of patriotism in connection with his transfer to CSKA. He said that he should not make excuses to the fans, as he did not intend to change his attitude to his native country.
“I know that both the coach and the president want to see me in the ranks of CSKA. He was the only real option. If I move to this club, then, obviously, the attitude towards my country and people will not change even for a second. It seems strange to me to start explaining my patriotism and love for Georgia, ”Shengelia said before signing the agreement with the army.