Football player Guram Kashia awarded first-ever UEFA #EqualGame Award
Georgian national team and San Jose Earthquakes player Guram Kashia. Photo: San Jose Earthquakes.
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Georgian national football team captain Guram Kashia has become the first-ever recipient of the UEFA #EqualGame Award, honouring the player’s support of the LGBT community on the field.
Kashia, 31, was singled out for the award for his show of support to the LGBT community during his time with the Dutch club side SBV Vitesse last season.
Leading the side in matches, the Georgian wore his captain’s armband with the rainbow-coloured colours to show his support of diversity and inclusion.
I congratulate Guram for his strong character and his courage. Guram has taken an important stand to support the LGBT community and equality overall and deserves to win this award”, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin said in comments on the award.
The coloured armband was worn by the defender following an initiative by the John Blankenstein Foundation in the Netherlands, which works to raise LGBT acceptance in sport.
Kashia’s display of the armband sparked hostile reaction from a part of the public in his homeland during last season.
Čeferin noted the player’s perseverance in face of the abuse he received on social media, noting how the Vitesse captain “helped change perceptions of this minority group” in Georgia.
Currently playing for the United States’ Major League Soccer side San Jose Earthquakes, the Georgian player responded to the award by saying he was “honoured” to have been picked for the distinction.
Kashia currently plays for San Jose Earthquakes alongside fellow Georgian Vako Qazaishvili:
I am honoured that UEFA has picked me as the recipient of the #EqualGame Award. I believe in equality for everyone, no matter what you believe in, who you love or who you are”, Kashia commented.
The defender moved to San Jose Earthquakes in June this year, joining fellow Georgian Vako Qazaishvili at the team.
Kashia started all but two Dutch league games for Vitesse in the 2017-2018 season, scoring three goals and providing an assist.
He played for the club since the 2010-2011 season, making nearly 300 appearances and scoring over 20 goals.
The central defender was named Georgian Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013. He also received the Dutch Eredivisie Player of the Month Award for August 2015.