Georgian PM warns against alleged politicization of sports, art by opposition

Irakli Kobakhidze, the Prime Minister of Georgia, on Wednesday took to Facebook to express his concern over alleged politicization of Georgian sports and art by the opposition. He emphasized the importance of “keeping sports and art free from political influence for the benefit of all Georgians”.

Kobakhidze highlighted the recent “historic achievements” in Georgian sports, such as the football team’s qualification for the European Championship and victories in rugby, basketball, water polo, and handball and stressed the government’s role in supporting these achievements but noted that “credit should be shared among all involved, without undue political appropriation”.

The Prime Minister lamented the “opposition’s attempts to drag sports and art into their political agendas”, noting that such actions undermined national unity and pride. He criticized their past actions, accusing them of “exploiting artists and athletes for political gain”.

Kobakhidze called upon all patriotic citizens to safeguard Georgian sports and art from political interference, urging them to reject the divisive tactics of certain political figures. He warned against allowing figures “like Saakashvili, Gvaramia, Khazaradze, Gakharia, and Gigauri to tarnish the integrity of Georgian culture and identity”.

 

Former Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, who currently chairs the For Georgia opposition party, issued a rebuttal on Wednesday to criticism from Kakha Kaladze, Secretary-General of the ruling Georgian Dream party and Mayor of Tbilisi. The criticism was directed at Roin Kochorashvili, father of national football team player Giorgi Kochorashvili, after the latter expressed support for an anti-government rally on social media.

 

Kaladze claimed Roin Kochorashvili was a member of Gakharia’s party.