Georgia to Honor Kwaracheliya with a State Award for Champion's League Triumph
Georgian Athletes Honoured with Prestigious Awards
In a celebration of sports excellence, two Georgian athletes, Hvica Kvarachhelia and former national basketball team captain Zaza Pachulia, have been announced as recipients of the Order of Saint George and the Order of Victory, respectively.
The Order of Saint George, established by the Parliament of Georgia in 2004, is awarded for significant contributions to the country's victory. Kvaratskhelia, a product of Tbilisi "Dinamo", has earned this recognition through his outstanding performance in football. The Georgian Prime Minister, Irakli Garibashvili, made the announcement of Kvaratskhelia's award.
Kvaratshkelia's football journey has taken him to some of Europe's top clubs, including "Rubin" Kazan and "Lokomotiv" Moscow in Russia, and more recently, to "Napoli" in Italy. In the 2022/23 season, he became the Italian champion with "Napoli". His contributions to the team were instrumental in their success, culminating in the club's victory in the Champions League.
Pachulia, on the other hand, has made a name for himself in the world of basketball. He retired from the NBA in 2019 but returned to the "Golden State Warriors" as a consultant. Pachulia's career highlights include becoming an NBA champion twice with the "Golden State Warriors". The first Order of Victory was presented to George W. Bush by then-President Mikheil Saakashvili in 2005.
Kakha Kaladze, another esteemed Georgian athlete, also retired from football in May 2012. He is currently the mayor of Tbilisi and the general secretary of "Georgian Dream". Kaladze won the Champions League twice with "Milan" in 2004 and 2007.
The Order of Victory, named after Saint George, is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the country's victory. Kvaratskhelia received the Order of Honor last year for his achievements with the national team and winning the Champions League. The exact reasons for Pachulia's award were not found in the available search results.
These awards serve as a testament to the achievements of Georgian athletes and their contributions to the world of sports. Their accomplishments continue to inspire future generations and raise the profile of Georgian sports on the global stage.
[1] Source: Georgian government official nomination announcement.
- Kvaratskhelia, having won the Champions League with Napoli in the 2022/23 season, has become a new champion in the European leagues, adding to his previous accomplishments with other top football clubs.
- In a shift from football, Pachulia, the former NBA player, is now contributing to sports analysis as a consultant for the Golden State Warriors, bringing his vast experience in the world of basketball to the table.
- Despite retiring from football and the NBA, Kvaratskhelia and Pachulia, along with other revered Georgian athletes like Kaladze who won the Champions League twice with Milan, have not only earned prestigious awards within Georgia but have also made significant impacts in the broader international sports arena.
