Basketball Federation of BiH in serious trouble - Alihodžić: We need help, otherwise qualification matches are questionable

(Patria) - The financial situation in the Basketball Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is not rosy, it has become further complicated, and the umbrella organization of BiH basketball needs urgent help, said the general secretary of the KSBiH today, Dževad Alihodžić.

The KSBiH is blocked due to a debt to the Ilidža hotels, which amounts to 330,000 KM with interest and court costs. Negotiations between the two parties have taken place, the KSBiH requested installment payments to unblock the account, but the hotel management rejected such a possibility.

Alihodžić said that maximum efforts were made to survive and overcome the crisis in the last two months, and that during that period, four national teams completed their preparations and played in the European Championship.

- With a blocked account and no money, we managed somehow, which is an achievement - said Alihodžić, thanking everyone who helped make it happen.

- It is undeniable that the debt exists and is 13 years old. We tried to reach an agreement and a deal with the management. We did not succeed. They demand full payment at once, with interest and court costs. We cannot resolve that. We appeal for help to all those who believe that the BiH national team should be supported - added Alihodžić.

The KSBiH, Alihodžić's message is, needs urgent help, because the matches of the senior men's basketball team against Croatia in the Eurobasket qualifiers could be jeopardized.

- I just want to appeal that we need urgent help. If we don't resolve this, we will very soon have to start preparations for key qualification matches for the European Championship. We cannot do that with a blocked account. The playing of the matches could be jeopardized, we might have to forfeit to Croatia - Alihodžić believes, noting that this is precisely why the press conference was organized, because the problem is too big to be concealed and swept under the rug.

- We had a meeting recently. We acknowledge the debt, we tried to explain our situation, we asked for installment payments... The stance was that they will not wait and want the debt resolved. We have to accept that fact - stated the first operative of the KSBiH.

- Perhaps expectations were different. We probably hoped to reach an agreement with the Ilidža hotels group. We did not expect such a move. I am not here to condemn anyone. It would not be fair to accuse anyone. I can only say that this is just another proof for us that we need to take radical steps, to find systemic financing for national teams, and then to develop a strategy in terms of expertise. The results of our junior selections, which we have now, are absolutely unsatisfactory, concluded Alihodžić, reports Faktor.