Yes or no? The word of Arvydas Sabonis is also waiting for his possible successors.

Arvydas Sabonis’ second term as president of the Lithuanian Basketball Federation (LKF) is coming to an end.

The legendary 55-year-old basketball player, who replaced Vladas Garastas in October 2011, has led the country’s most popular sport for eight years.

A. Sabonis, who last spoke in public in December, confirmed that he would finish his duties in the fall.

However, two Lithuanian basketball organizations have now written to A. Sabonis to lead the federation for another year, because due to the pandemic, major basketball events, the Olympic team and the Olympics, they moved to 2021.

Depending on the Olympic stages, the statutes of the federation also allow an extension of the term.

But will A. Sabonis himself want to continue the work?

In the past few months, the 222 cm tall giant has had serious back problems and has never liked advertising anyway.

His right hand in the Mindaugas Špokas federation offered to wait Tuesday.

“Then it will be ‘yes’ or ‘no’,” said the LKF Secretary General. – You should say your decision in the executive committee and the facts will be clear.

We kindly hope he stays, because it would be difficult without Arvydas. But we don’t want to press, he has freedom of choice. It is not a road where I can fly without looking any further. “

Yes A. Sabonis would agree to lead the basketball federation until the fall of 2021, in which case the reporting election conference would carry over to this date.

The representatives of 131 legal members of the federation would elect a new president. If A. Sabonis still refuses to continue his work in 2021, a new manager for the country’s basketball should be found by fall this year.

Does the federation have official candidates to become the successor of A. Sabonis?

“So far, we have heard more about them only from you,” said M. Špokas. – Wherever they work, now is a good time to show them how to contribute to basketball. There are many challenges to the pandemic crisis. “

Remigijus Milašius: “More percentage of negative response”

Part of the basketball community would imagine Jonas Kazlauskas as A. Sabonis’ most ideal successor, but a 65-year-old Vilna resident resting from the job of a basketball coach has repeatedly stated that the duties of the head of the federation they are not for him.

LKL President Remigijus Milašius, considered one of the candidates to become LKF chief, said on Tuesday he would support the request of federation members to offer A. Sabonis to continue his work.

“It just came to our attention then. He started organizing the Olympic team in Kaunas, found finances and everything went wrong due to the pandemic, said R. Milasius. – I think it should end. Others would have trouble taking over the job. And already started, you know how to do it. “

Milašius believes that A. Sabonis will agree to remain in office for another year, but in his words there is less firmness about what will happen when Sabas finally resigns.

“I don’t say ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ but I don’t really like government jobs,” when asked if he would be interested in the top LKF job, R. Milasius said.

Since 2013 The second term of the 62-year-old businessman who leads LKL as president of LKL will end in one year.

He said he prefers the business environment.

“The federation also includes schoolchildren and women. There are many budget things out there. It is also very difficult to create a women’s league without public finances,” said R. Milašius.

The businessman, who made a fortune in the IDW company that mannequins manufactures, said that at this time he would probably refuse to sit in A. Sabonis’ chair in Kaunas. “If frankly, it is currently more percent for a negative response,” said Milašius. – Unless necessary circumstances arise. But he is willing to work with LKL. “

Unlike the federation, the number of terms of LKL president is not limited, although even there clubs choose a leader for the league every four years.

R.Milašius stated that recently there

And while looking at the basketball federation, R. Milašius remains mysterious.

“I have my own opinion, but I would not like to talk about surnames. In my opinion, there is a different candidate than the one mentioned in the media,” said R. Milasius.

Robert Javtok: “If it happens, why not?”

Robertas Javtokas, the long-term captain of the Lithuanian national team, is named as another royal candidate for the post of LKF president.

The 40-year-old man, who comes from Šiauliai, lives in Vilnius and works in Kaunas, would have good relations in the international community, because among the presidents of other basketball federations are those basketball stars against whom R. Javtokas himself has repeatedly competed.

For example, the Spanish Basketball Federation is chaired by Jorge Garbajosa, Serbia – Predrag Danilovic, Russia – Andrei Kirilenka, Turkey – Hidayet Turkoglu, Croatia – Stojko Vrankovic, North Macedonia – Pero Antičius.

A 211 cm tall Lithuanian would not crumble between them and the experience of international matches, moreover, has already begun to gain management experience.

But the current responsible position can also deter changes: for the past two years R.Javtokas has been working as Kaunas “Žalgiris” sports director.

“It is difficult to say if I would be interested,” said R.Javtokas when asked about the position of the LKF president. – Of course, these are very important and interesting responsibilities. But I think the elections will be postponed for a year, and I am working on my job in Žalgiris.

If it ever happens to be possible, why not?

Vydas Gedvilas: “I would consider it”

Similar to R.Javtokas thinks that another experienced basketball player and not just a politician.

Vydas Gedvilas, 61, is currently a member of the Executive Committee of the Lithuanian Basketball Federation as head of the coaches association.

“As a member of the executive committee, I will vote for Arvydas (Sabonis) to stay for another year. Of course, if it suits you, you will agree, if health permits, V. Gedvilas was preparing for Tuesday. – I am going to vote in favor because the Olympic cycle must be completed. And after the next elections are held. “

And the former coach of the Lithuanian women’s basketball team, whose team became the European champion in 1997, as well as the former president of the Seimas, could actively participate in them.

“I am always with basketball. And now I’m in Klaipeda for women’s basketball. I would consider whether I would suggest if there was support from the basketball community. But now I don’t think about it, “said V. Gedvilas.

The politician who represented the Labor Party in the Seimas in 2004-2012 declined to reveal all of the behind-the-scenes events of basketball.

“I always think about what it could be,” he asked about other possible successors to A. Sabonis, – said V. Gedvilas. – It could probably be a man from the basketball community. There are, but I would not like to name them. I would like to hear the decision of Arvydas (Sabonis) first. “