Hutaba: One should not politicize sport!

The State Committee on Physical Culture and Sport of the Republic of Abkhazia commented on the statement of the Georgian Chess Federation.

Suhum. February 17. Apsnypress. Damey Kaslandziya. The Chairman of the RA State Committee for Physical Culture and Sport Bagrat Hutaba commented on the statement by the Georgian side about the presentation of diploma for the development of chess in the Republic of Abkhazia by the President of FIDE Kirsan Ilyumzhinov to the President of the Chess Federation of Abkhazia Konstantin Tuzhba. Earlier,  the protest statement on the matter by the Georgian Chess Federation was published on shess-news site.

 Chairman of the RA State Committee for Physical Culture and Sport Bagrat Hutaba said: "This is not the first time when our athletes are faced with this kind of protests from the Georgian side. A similar situation was when our freestyle wrestling athletes went to Armenia to the competition and after the Georgian side's protest were removed from the tournament".

 Hutaba also stressed: "We are proud that Kirsan Ilyumzhinov praised the merits of Konstantin Tuzhba and our athletes. It is of great importance for the development of sports in Abkhazia. One can not politicize sport! Especially when children are involved in it. Such statements of sports organizations of Georgia are illegitimate".

 For his part, President of the Chess Federation of Abkhazia Konstantin Tuzhba said: "This action is the humanitarian blockade by Georgia! But we continue to work, we will impart to our children the knowledge and join international sport, so they do not feel isolated".

 At the same time, deputy chairman of the RA State Committee for Physical Culture and Sports Rafael Ampar said that such protests are incorrect: "Any nation in the world has the right to develop and engage in creative activities. Such barriers will likely be built by the Georgian side in the future. It is necessary to overcome them. We strive for peace, sport provides an opportunity to communicate, make friends and become better".