Georgian Football Federation awards unveil 2023 winners

The top football players, head coaches, referees and honoured figures of 2023 were given special awards at the annual Georgian Football Federation Awards ceremony in Georgia’s capital of Tbilisi, the Federation said on Thursday.

In his address at the ceremony, the President of the Federation Levan Kobiashvili emphasised the importance of the sports infrastructure development and extended his gratitude to the Government and partners of the Federation for their contribution to hosting the UEFA U21 European Championship, a high-level international tournament held over the summer.

Kobiashvili also pointed out the significance of the Championship and presented special awards to the companies involved in the organisation of the event. He also awarded gratitude prizes to the country’s Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure, Municipal Development Fund and Sports Ministry, as well as Tbilisi City Hall and the western municipalities of Kutaisi and Batumi, the tournament host cities.

The Georgian U21 national football team was awarded a special prize for successful competition at the UEFA U21 European Championship, where the team had reached the quarter-finals and was among the eight best teams, with the award given to the head coach of the team, Ramaz Svanadze.

Photo via GFF

Gold, silver and bronze medals named after the acclaimed Georgian footballer Aleksandre Chivadze were given to U17 footballers Rezi Danelia, Luka Tsulaia and Vakhtang Salia, as well as U19 players Aleksandre Narimanidze, Lekso Peikrishvili and Luka Sherozia.

At the GFF Awards event, Saba Sazonov became the Best Young Player and Giorgi Ghavtadze won the Best Futsal Player nomination.

Photo via GFF

Nikoloz Jgharkava was named the Best Coach of the Women's League, and the Best Referee award was given to Giorgi Kruashvili.

The special prize was given to Jaba Chanturia for his contribution to the development of mass football. Chanturia, the country's champion in beach soccer, has been working as a children's coach in the Black Sea city of Batumi for 18 years and the head coach of FC Portus Batumi.

Photo via GFF

The Georgian national team and Napoli player Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was named Player of the Year in the end-of-year awards. At the ceremony, Natia Danelia received two awards for the Best Player of the Women's League and the Female Player of the Year.

The GFF added the poll to select the top nominees for the Awards was completed by veterans of Georgian sports, members of the men's, women's and futsal teams, and sports media representatives.