Zalgiris Continues Cooperation With South African Basketball

The basketball collaboration between Zalgiris Kaunas basketball club and South Africa, which was initiated last year, steps into the next level.

The new agreement was signed, stating that South Africans will be taught the secrets of basketball for the upcoming three months.

Unexploited Basketball Resources

Lithuanian basketball coach Darius Dimavicius is heading for one of the regions of South Africa this weekend.

The medal winner of Barcelona Olympics will not only work in Duzi Royals basketball club, the leaders of South African basketball league, but also coach young basketball players as well as conduct basketball workshops.

“With the help of Mr. Darius Degutis, former ambassador in South Africa, we developed this idea of cooperation. After our partners’ visit in Lithuania and our trip to South Africa, we now are making yet another step forward.
There are unexploited basketball resources laying in South Africa, and we in Lithuania have substantial basketball know-how information.

We found a very initiative coach who believes in our vision and is ready to share his knowledge. Mr. Dimavicius, together with Lithuanian national basketball team, won the bronze medal in the Olympics, therefore, South Africans are greatly excited about his practices and workshops”, – said Paulius Motiejunas, the director of Zalgiris Kaunas.

The enthusiasm that is showed by South Africans has already fascinated Mr. Dimavicius.

“We have not communicated eye-to-eye yet, but we have agreed on the schedule for all 12 weeks already. Mostly we have talked with the representatives from Duzi Royals, but there is also going to be a lot of work with the young players and sports academies.

I will conduct the practices and special workshops for youth and their coaches every day, whereas during weekends we will work with the men’s team”, – said Darius Dimavicius.

The national team of South Africa is 74th in official FIBA ranking, however, Mr. Dimavicius is not discouraged by this fact.

“Basketball is only making its first steps in the country of rugby, cricket and football.

There is no doubt that there are many basketball prospects in such a huge country. We would like to lead South Africa to an appropriate direction with our basketball knowledge and performance, whereas in the long term we would be able to talk about the talent scouting.

There is a reason why NBA and Spanish clubs are so much interested in African market, therefore, I would like to express my joy because of this collaboration and potential opportunities” – said Mr. Dimavicius.

Mutual Collaboration Benefits and Business Opportunities

At the end of the year 2014, representatives from Duzi Royals were visiting Kaunas.

They got to know the managerial structure of BC Zalgiris Kaunas as well as had a tour around Zalgirio Arena. The guests were amazed by the atmosphere during the Euroleague match.

They were also astounded by the group SEL concert, which was record breaking in terms of attendance in Zalgirio Arena.

“They are planning to build a sports venue that meets international requirements, therefore getting to know the infrastructure of Zalgirio Arena was very beneficial for them”, – said Mrs. Asta Ivanauskiene, the Executive Director of Zalgiris Arena.

During his stay in South Africa, Paulius Motiejunas, the director of BC Zalgiris Kaunas, had meetings with different business representatives, Jewish community and executives of the city of Durban. It is the third biggest city in South Africa with more than 3 million citizens.

“This way we try to discover new partners that would be willing to sponsor basketball not only in South Africa, but also in Lithuania. With the help of our collaboration, South African companies can exploit new business opportunities.

At the same time, current BC Zalgiris sponsors are enabled to make new connections in the new market. We believe that the expansion of basketball could help us achieve more than one goal”, – said Zalgiris CEO.

For example, Mr. Gavin Varejes, the executive director of Richman Holdings investment fund, received BC Zalgiris jersey with the signatures of all players and coaches.

Mr. Varejes said that he is already planning a business trip to Lithuania, where he will analyze how to contribute to the development of sports. It is important to emphasize that a successful rugby project is already taking place in Lithuania, where the best practice of South African rugby professionals is learnt and applied.

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