The FINANCIAL — Most young Georgian football players aim to build their careers abroad rather than at home.
The FINANCIAL — Most young Georgian football players aim to build their careers abroad rather than at home.According to footballers; the financial situation, level of the sport and future success are the main determiners for why they are trying to join foreign country’s clubs.
Beka Zakradze, 22, has played football since he was seven years old. He started his career at FC Rustavi Shevardeni and then moved to Tbilisi. When he turned fifteen he became a member of one of the most successful football clubs – Wit Georgia, where he remained for seven years. Now when his contract with this club ends, he aims to continue playing abroad.
“I have been playing football since my childhood. When I was still a school pupil, I took part in a month-long football competition in Sweden where my team became the winner of two out of three tournaments. I played there quite well, scored many goals and was even offered the chance to stay and play there. The Swedish media reported on me. I was still a child and I couldn’t stay far away from my country and family though, so I came back to Georgia,” Zakradze said.
“Wit Georgia, the team where I played for seven years, gave me an opportunity to present myself. While playing there our team achieved success, it even became the champion of Georgia. I had an opportunity to train a lot, play well and show my ability as a footballer. My contract is now over and I want to start playing abroad. I am in negotiations with some foreign football clubs at the moment,” Zakradze said.
“One of the main reasons why I want to play in foreign team is the financial stability it affords. When a footballer steps on to the football pitch, he should not have to think about problems such as receiving a proper salary on time or being able to get a good rest after the match. My salary in Georgia came to GEL 1,000. When you have an opportunity to play higher level football, receive a good salary and play in a stadium which is full of people, you have to make that choice,” Zakradze said.
The football players interviewed by The FINANCIAL say that there are twelve leading football teams in Georgia and only three or four of them are financially strong. They say that there is a lack of investments in Georgian football. According to footballers the average salary in most Georgian football clubs totals GEL 700-800.
“I was playing at football club Ameri, which was abolished due to financial problems. I left Georgia and went to Turkey in 2009. Now I play for Turkish Edremit Belediyespor in the third league. The salary and football environment here is about ten times better than in Georgia. Many people attend our matches. People’s attitude towards football is different here,” said Dato Karseladze, 22.
“In the future I plan to move and play in the Super league. I don’t plan to come back to Georgia yet. If the situation with Georgian football does not change I would prefer to play in the 3rd league in Turkey than in the top league of Georgia. Of course I don’t mean such leading clubs as Dinamo or Zestafoni though,” Karseladze said.
“There are many problems in Georgian football but first of all the infrastructure should be well developed and financial problems solved. Kids football should not be played on stone, there should be showers available for after exercise and players should have a proper football base for recovering their strength,” Karselaze said.
Although most Georgian footballers are invited to play in neighbouring countries, there are some who play in European football teams as well.
“I started playing football in Shevardeni at the age of six. Our team in the year 2002-2003 was participating in one of the competitions held in Denmark where we became champions. I left Georgia in 2007 and went to Malaga, Spain. Since then I have been playing for the Regional League of Malaga. I decided to leave Georgia due to the improper football conditions there,” said Saba Sanikidze, 21.
“Football in Spain is quicker, you learn much and develop better as a footballer here. You don’t have to worry about finances, no matter which league you play for, whether first, second, third or regional. I think I will come back to Georgia in the future. Despite the fact that there is still much to be done till Georgian football develops to an acceptable level, everyone wants to stay close to their families. There are plenty of problems in Georgian football which should definitely be solved,” Sanikidze said.
The lowest salary in the First League of Spain starts from EUR 50,000 and ranges, in Second Division from EUR 5,000 to 20,000 and 3rd Division – EUR 500, Sanikidze noted.
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