Georgian PM appoints new Minister of Culture and Sports, announces Ministry will split after elections

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday introduced Tinatin Rukhadze as the new Minister of Culture and Sports of the country during a briefing at the Government Administration.

Kobakhidze also announced plans for a legislative change to split the current Ministry into two separate entities after the upcoming October 26 parliamentary elections, when Rukhadze will assume the position of Minister of Culture.

The Prime Minister also thanked current Minister Thea Tsulukiani for her “valuable” work.

During her ministership, several significant changes and important reforms were made in the areas of culture and sports”, Kobakhidze said of the former Minister.

Introducing Rukhadze to the public, the Prime Minister said she had worked as the Deputy Director of the Young Creative Union of Georgia since 1989, the Director of the Tbilisi Concertino chamber orchestra, and Executive Director of the TV festival Mana.

She also served as the General Producer of TBC TV and the Head and the Producer of the Office of the Council of Producers of Sakteleradio broadcasting.

Rukhadze also held positions as the Deputy Director and General Producer of Melodia Art, the General Director of Vaso Abashidze State New Theatre, the Councilor of Tbilisi Municipality for education and culture and the Director of the National Youth Palace.

During the briefing, the Prime Minister introduced Shalva Gogoladze as the First Deputy Minister responsible for overseeing sports within the current Ministry, adding he would assume the role of Minister of Sports following the separation of the body. He noted Gogoladze possessed “extensive experience” in the sector.

Gogoladze graduated from the Georgian Academy of Physical Education and Sports and also holds a degree from the Faculty of Law at Tbilisi State University, specialising in law.

He has had a successful legal career and has held various significant positions, including the Director of the Sports and Health Complex at the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, the Director of the Georgian Olympic Reserve Training National Centre, and the Deputy Head of the City Service of Education, Sports, and Youth Affairs for Tbilisi City Hall”, Kobakhidze said.

Since 2015, he has been serving as the Deputy Minister, where he has supervised sports initiatives. Given his extensive background, we are confident that he will excel in his new role as the First Deputy Minister and will be a very successful Minister of Sports”, he added.

The Prime Minister emphasised Georgia had experienced “significant success” in sports in recent years and highlighted the creation of an independent Ministry would “further demonstrate” the Government's commitment to the development of sports, saying “sports will continue to be a top priority, and the existence of a dedicated Ministry will reflect this commitment”.