Georgian PM unveils football centre named after former national team player, Tbilisi Mayor in western city of Samtredia

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Levan Kobiashvili, the President of the Football Federation, on Friday unveiled a football centre named after Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi and former player of the national team, in the city of Samtredia in the western Imereti region.

In his comments at the opening ceremony, Kobakhidze highlighted the significance of the facility, calling it a “very important infrastructure” that would benefit local children by providing them with the opportunity to “develop their skills and pursue their sporting achievements”, the Government Administration said.

I want to congratulate you on this extraordinary day. I am very delighted to see so many smiling faces, especially among the children. Today is truly special, as we celebrate the creation of an important infrastructure in Samtredia [...] We are exceptionally talented people, we have exceptionally talented children, and I am sure that many more champions will grow up in this stadium”, he noted.

The PM said it was “very important” that this venue bore the name of Kaladze, a “figure of pride” not only for Samtredia but for all of Georgia.

He noted Kaladze was Georgia's the “most successful and titled footballers, having established traditions that needed to be continued”, adding this stadium would “provide the ideal environment” for this purpose.

The head of the Government extended his gratitude to Kaladze for this “extraordinary initiative”, as well as to Kobiashvili and the Federation, along with foreign partners, including the FIFA, and the UEFA, for “their support”, and all individuals involved in the project’s implementation.