Georgia earn presidential decree

[Burgs]

Amazing news out of Georgia!
Well spotted KenyaQuin

Georgia earn presidential decree

(Rugby News Service) Thursday 20 September 2007
By Lena Zak

LYON, 20 September - Georgia's sterling efforts at the world cup have sparked an unprecedented wave of interest in the sport at the top of the country's political chain.

Georgia president Mikheil Saakashvili has announced plans to build at least 10 rugby stadiums over the next 12 months.

He also pledged to finance a top-flight competition in recognition of the exposure the IRB Rugby World Cup has given Georgia.

Speaking after his team's valiant 14-10 loss to Ireland on Saturday, Georgia captain Ilia Zedginidze reinforced the need for the country to forge their own championship.

"(Even though) playing in France allows the players to develop themselves really well, and for this we are really grateful to France, in Georgia there are not many structures for rugby to develop," Zedginidze said.

"In the next five years we have to do much more for the internal competition in Georgia."

Aiming for No.1

Zedginidze believes Georgia's improved standing in the international rankings - they've moved up one spot to 16th - is the most important result from the tournament.

"I hope that rugby will become the number-one sport in Georgia," Zedginidze said.

"Now everybody plays football and for our national team we have to choose 30 people out of less than 500 senior players.

"If you look at our younger players, we have some very good 11, 12 and 13 year-olds. They're as good as the French or English boys.

"In the future we will pay more attention to developing that age group so that we can become as strong as the French, English or any of the top sides. That's our objective."

[The InnFORCEr]

There's only one Georgia
There's only one Georgia
Walking along
Singing a song
Walking in a Georgian wonderland
(Repeat louder)

10 stadiums in 12 months in developong Georgia, fantastic.

And we only want one but it will take more than 5 years??

[KenyaQuin]

I think that in itself will make this a successful world cup (I hope its not your typical political mileage stunt).

[Burgs]

Even so, I think I prefer to live under Australian conditions TIF

[gustafsl]

10 stadiums in 12 months in developong Georgia, fantastic.

Maybe they could help out the NZRU with the 2011 World Cup. I heard they are looking for suitable stadiums.

[jargan83]

10 stadiums in 12 months in developong Georgia, fantastic.

And we only want one but it will take more than 5 years??

maybe we should speak to the Georgian government to pay for ours?? it would be alot quicker me thinks

[Burgs]

Pavle's got Georgia on his mind

(Rugby News Service) Monday 24 September 2007
By Lena Zak, from Villefranche

Fly half Pavle Jimsheladze has seen a lot change in the 12 years he has been playing top-flight rugby for Georgia.

Last week brought another, with Georgia's president Mikheil Saakashvili announcing plans to increase funding for the sport.

"If our president really does this, there's huge potential. I think Georgia can reach as high as the big European teams in a few years, say seven or eight," Jimsheladze said.

Crowd support

Jimsheladze, who joined the national team in 1995, is about to make his return to play after aggravating a leg muscle tear against Argentina.

He said spectators had started turning up to Georgia's training sessions since their narrow 14-10 defeat by Ireland.

"Having this support gives us a lot of confidence that we can do something in the rugby family," he said.

However, he is well aware Georgia's results have not come easily.

"We trained so hard for this. It was the first time that it was so hard and intense for all of us. In 2003 we didn't do 10 per cent of what we did to prepare for this world cup. Now we're collecting the fruits of our labours."

"The self-respect is the biggest gain. Respect for our rugby, for Georgia. When you work this hard, that's an enormous gain."

Against the elements

The 32-year-old sees the obstacles the team have had to overcome as an essential element propelling Georgia towards their goal.

"Out of the 20 nations here, I think we're the only ones to be from a country where not a single club has its own stadium, its own changing rooms," said Jimsheladze.

"Our national team only bought its own stadium in 2003. Now we can train there. Until then we trained in some village in a tiny stadium. There was nowhere in Georgia to go out, put on your boots and just train."