Basketball star Zaza Pachulia invites injured Georgian service member for NBA game
NBA player Pachulia (left) invited Buadze, who served in NATO's Afghanistan mission, to attend an NBA game on Monday. Photos: President of Georgia press office/army.mil.
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A Georgian service member injured in NATO's Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan was able to enjoy the atmosphere of a National Basketball Association (NBA) match in Washington on Monday, thanks to Georgia's basketball star Zaza Pachulia.
Senior Lieutenant Iveri Buadze, wounded in September 2017 during his service in the mission, was invited by Pachulia, a centre for Detroit Pistons, for the team's fixture against Washington Wizards.
The Georgian Armed Forces service member was on the stands at the Capital One Arena, following the action of the match that ended with a score 101-87 in the Wizards' favour.
Pachulia also met Buadze after the game for a talk, with commentators for the game noting the "wonderful story" of Georgia's most successful basketball player and the service member of the country's armed forces.
Buadze was initially treated at a hospital in Germany and continued his recovery at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre in Washington.
Last year he was visited by former Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili at the medical venue, with the injured senior lieutenant sharing with the PM his pride of having served in the armed forces.
Pachulia, who made history by becoming the first Georgian player to win the NBA champion's title in 2017, is playing for the Pistons during the ongoing NBA season, after moving to the team from Golden State Warriors.
The 34-year old was awarded the Order of Honour, one of the major state prizes of Georgia, for his achievements in developing the local sport and representing the country abroad.
Pachulia is also a recipient of the state's Knight of Sports title, for his contribution to the promotion of Georgian basketball on the international arena.