EThe president of the Russian Basketball Federation spoke in recent hours for ‘Mozzart Sport’ where he reviewed various current issues, like the relationship between basketball and the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, his duties as president of the Federation and even when he was able to play for Partizin in Belgrade.
Regarding the ongoing war between Ukraine and his country, Russia, Andrei Kirilenko believes that there are too many “experts” who have an opinion on a somewhat complicated question: “I’m sure players don’t follow politics or don’t care about politics. But today, everyone is an expert. We are all experts in viruses and the next day in politics. I don’t know anything about politics. Basket S. This is where I can help.”
Sport should bring people together, not separate them. Basketball exists for us to enjoy together and that’s how it should be around the world
Andrei Kirilenko, President of the Russian Basketball Federation
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From his point of view, he believes that “sport should unite people, not separate them. Basketball exists for us to enjoy together and it should be that way around the world.”
The legendary Russian player retired in 2015 and for a few months he was president of the Basketball Federation, a job that involves a lot of demands: “It’s easier to be a basketball player. Of course, you work hard every day and stay in shape, it’s demanding. Now, as a basketball coach in Russia, I think of a million things. I try to organize everything and ensure a constant flow with the aim of improving basketball.”
He was very close to playing at Partizn
Coinciding with the fact that two Serbian teams such as Partizan and Mega are playing the VTB Super League Cup 2022 against CSKA, UNICS, Zenit and Lokomotiv Kuban, he explained that in his time he was able to play at Partizan in Belgrade: “He signed the contract but had an NBA option. I will always be grateful that a club like this took an interest in me when I was very young.“.
