Georgia, Tbilisi, Aug. 19 / Trend N.Kirtzkhalia /
The Representative People's Assembly accused the Georgian authorities of the prosecution of athletes for political reasons. The Assembly plans to inform the International Wrestling Federation President about this.
The World Wrestling Champion, member of the "Democratic Movement - United Georgia" party (The party's leader is ex-Speaker Nino Burjanadze), Luka Kurtanidze, and Assembly representative Gogi Kavtaradze reported that the government has blocked Kurtanidze's participation in the World Beach Wrestling Championship, which will be held in Montenegro.
Kurtanidze was supposed to go to Montenegro Aug.26-30. Kurtanidze won the silver medal in the 2009 World Beach Wrestling Championship and was the first from Georgia, who participated in the World Championship on this sport, Kavtaradze said at the news conference today.
Kavtaradze said the Sports and Youth Affairs Ministry f, in particular, the National Wrestling Federation continues political persecution against Kurtanidze. Despite numerous requests, he was not allowed to work as a coach, even for free.
Regarding blockage of Kurtanidze's participation in the 2010 World Beach Wrestling Championship, the Assembly's initiative group appealed Aug.5, to the Sports Ministry and the Federation against the requirement not to discriminate well-known sportsman and warned them that would appeal to the international federation.
The Assembly plans to send a special letter to the international federation. They believe the international sports community will give an adequate response.
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