Delighted by our level of hospitality: "I'm sure there will be more big events here" • Addresses the dispute with the Euroleague: "Without a vision, sports will die" • And a bright future for Israeli basketball: "The facts speak" • Fiba Europe Secretary General Camille Novak, In a special interview with "Israel Today"

• Camille Novak at Menora Mivtachim Hall

  Photo: 

  Alan Shiver

During the past week, one of the senior people in European basketball, Fiba European Secretary General Camille Novak, came to Israel to participate in the Final Four of the European Cup.

Between the games and the round of meetings he held with senior members of the industry in Israel, Novak took the time to give an exclusive interview to "Israel Today."

"Getting here was not a question for me," says Novak, an old friend of Israeli basketball, "In recent months we have examined the issue, but for me there was no doubt that this is our place. I am always happy to come to Israel. I have been here several times and always nice here."

The connection between FIBA ​​and the Israeli Basketball Association is excellent, you like to host events here.

"I am happy that Israel is active and wants to host. It started a few years ago, and the highlight of course was hosting the Eurobasket. The European Under-20 Championship was also special, not only because you won, but also for us, as an organization. There was a high level of basketball and tournament organization. "It is a basketball country and people here love the game. The European Cup Final Four demonstrates the cooperation in the best way. The Final 8 of the Champions League was also close to being in Israel. I am sure that in the future there will be more big events here."

Why did Final 8 not reach Israel?

"I can not really get into it, because the Champions League is not run by us, even though I sit on the board. From what I understand, it was really close to happening. FIBA ​​can not always please everyone.

There were reasons that led to the choice of Russia, and of course it is not something negative or personal against Israel.

We know that your people organize and manage things in the best possible way.

Apparently in this case there were other factors that led to a different choice. "

"The dream pushes for development"

One of the things that preoccupies FIBA ​​is the dispute with the Euroleague, which means that the major teams on the continent do not play in its team factories and also leads to a clash with national team games. Novak uses recent events that have happened in football, In basketball.

"We got a chance to see what model the fans want. Every industry has top teams, but there are also those who want to be at the top and need hope and vision that they can find sponsors and players to get there. The fans did not want anything that hurts competitiveness. The competition is what makes everyone work harder to Get better, and for that the fans pay money. "

Novak gives Selden the MVP // Photo: Alan Schieber

"We are always open to collaborations," Novak surprises, but immediately adds: "Of course we want to protect sports. Without a vision - sports will die. Today there are teams without a future, and without a future there is no motivation, so they cannot recruit partners to help. The vision and dream push "Teams develop players and the players work hard through the small clubs to get to the big clubs later."

What do you think European basketball will look like the day after the Corona?

"First of all we are not there yet and we do not know how long it will last. I remember that last June after the first wave there seemed to be an improvement and there were hopes that the corona would disappear in the summer. And here we are in April and the corona is here and destroys life. Positive for vaccines, but not everywhere the situation is like in Israel and the future will be greatly affected by the economic and health situation. If the economy is not good it affects everyone's lives. The sooner we solve the Corona issue it will be easier for us to get back to routine. And exist and come back to himself, but I'm worried about amateur sports and kids.We have a generation of kids who can not train in halls for almost a year.Early to know what will be the impact on this generation, because it is a critical time in their careers and without proper training for so long, it will affect The generation of young players. "