Georgia’s legendary sports commentator, journalist Jamlet Khukhashvili dies at 78

Jamlet Khukhashvili, a longtime sports commentator and journalist of the Georgian media scene, has died at the age of 78, with his passing away reported on Wednesday.

Georgia’s Sport Ministry and officials sent their tributes to the popular commentator was known for his live broadcast commentary for various sports over decades since the 1960s, as well as a TV host for sports programmes.

Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili sent his condolences to the family and friends of Khukhashvili, pointing out his “distinctive style” of commentary and noting his name was associated with “both personal contribution and promotion of Georgian sports”.

Born in 1944, Khukhashvili became a commentator of the Georgian TV-Radio Committee in 1964 and a sports columnist for the Georgian Public Broadcaster news programme in 1975.

In 1990, he became a columnist for the Alioni programme at GPB, and worked in TV and radio while also working as a coach of sports society Dinamo.

In 2004, Khukhashvili was named the Sports Commentator of the Year, and in 2014 was honoured with the Presidential Order of Excellence, the prize used to distinguish individuals in culture, education, science, art, sport and other fields for significant achievements and meritorious service.