Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili has attended a ceremonial event, marking the 45th anniversary of FC Dinamo Tbilisi’s historic victory in the 1980–81 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup.

The President was present at the celebration alongside Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Minister of Sport Shalva Gogoladze, Mayor of Tbilisi Kakha Kaladze, representatives of the executive and legislative branches of government, and veteran footballers.

Addressing the gathering, the President congratulated the Dinamo veterans on the 45th anniversary of their historic victory and remarked that their contribution to the development of Georgian football is beyond measure.

“What reigned across the whole of Georgia, in Tbilisi, in every household, after that final whistle was the jubilation of an entire nation, a celebration of the people. Every soul rejoiced, regardless of age. That is precisely the power of football. Thanks be to God that Georgia is a country of exceptionally gifted people. This is never more evident than in sport. In recent years, we have been quite spoilt by the achievements of our athletes; barely a year or a month passes without them bringing us glory and joy. As a leader of this country and as a former sportsman myself, I am filled with immense pride at how successful our sport has become. We all know full well that this is no ceiling; it is merely the starting point for what awaits this nation of extraordinary talent: still greater success in the world of sport,” the President declared.

He further stated that Georgia possesses every condition necessary for its football to flourish at the highest level.

“There is no event, no field of human endeavour, that can match the scale and the joy of football. Everyone is overwhelmed with a feeling of boundless elation—what pure rapture it is when your national team wins. It was precisely the generation of ’81 who gave us small boys that sense of boundless elation, who sent us out into the streets to play football from morning till dark. I wish that boundless elation could never be lost from our lives, that it would be with us always, for without that feeling, we couldn’t enjoy playing football. We have every condition in place for Georgian football to reach the highest level, and I am certain that it shall. We will walk this road without fail, and that triumph, the triumph of ’81, will serve as a pledge that our football will grow ever stronger and will make its presence felt regularly, both in Europe and at the World Cup,” said Mikheil Kavelashvili.

The President also recalled those who made the triumph of May 13, 1981, possible, paid tribute to the memory of those no longer with us, and wished the surviving veterans courage, good health, and long lives.

“This great triumph has its authors, those who, sadly, are no longer with us in body today. Glory and honour to their memory. Their greatness will never fade in Georgia. I bow my head before our heroes, our legends. I wish those who remain courage, good health, and long life, so that our future generations may always take pride in them,” the President declared.

The ceremonial event marking the 45th anniversary of FC Dinamo Tbilisi’s historic victory in the 1980–81 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup was held at the initiative of the Georgian Ministry of Sport and the Football Federation of Georgia.