Georgian football unveils new HQ

UEFA President Lennart Johansson opened the new offices of the Georgian Football Federation in Tbilisi on Tuesday. The opening ceremony took place in the presence of the president of Georgia, Eduard Shevardnadze.

Chivadze's merit award
Mr Johansson also presented the UEFA Ruby Order of Merit to the head coach of the Georgian national team, Alexander Chivadze, at a ceremony attended by high-ranking football and political officials.

UEFA support
The new headquarters of the Georgian Football Federation (GFF) were constructed with UEFA's support as part of its wide-ranging East European assistance programme. Building work began some two years ago, and the new offices will go into operation later this week.

Magnificent project
"I have been following the development of Georgian football since I have been in office – the Georgians can be proud of having such a football home, and UEFA was proud to take part in this magnificent project," said Mr Johansson, who also spoke in memory of two late figureheads of the Georgian game, the footballer and coach David Kipiani, as well as coach and administrator Nodar Akhalkatsi, important catalysts in the further development of football in Georgia both on and off the field.

Football achievements
Alexander Chivadze received the UEFA merit award for his football achievements. Chivadze, a long-serving USSR international, won the UEFA European Cup Winners' Cup with FC Dinamo Tbilisi in 1981, and has gone on to enjoy a distinguished coaching career.

Making an impact
The new 25,600-seater Lokomotivi stadium in Tbilisi is situated next to the new GFF headquarters. "Georgian football is proud of its victories of the past, and it deserves this home," said Mr Shevardnadze. "Now, we need new titles. I hope we can become European champions in the future, and make an impact on the World Cup as well."