Pandža: I was kicked out of the national team because of ordinary gossip

After the selector of the Bosnia and Herzegovina basketball national team Duško Vujošević decided that Josip Pandža would no longer be part of the coaching staff because, as he said, he needs to learn a lesson in loyalty, Pandža also reacted, reports the Patria agency.

The young coach, who two years ago won the European championship title with the cadet national team, addressed the public via his Facebook page.

- Dear all,

I do not have an official website, nor can I react through the Basketball Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The only way to react is through a social media post. I do not usually do this, but now I am forced to, and I am sure that my words will not be misinterpreted, nor will anyone misuse the text and turn it to their advantage.

I did not want to offend the Basketball Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and especially not the man from whom I have learned so much, selector Vujošević. Nor did I want to air dirty laundry, but at the moment when I remained silent to avoid conflict, the selector's report was published on the official website of the Basketball Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where I am attacked and called out without any arguments or evidence.

45 days ago, the director of the national team informed me that I was no longer part of the coaching staff. As a reason, he stated that one of the assistants, my colleagues, had conveyed to the selector that I said: "Vujošević is a top expert, but not a top person." He also said that he thinks the selector is wrong, but that he cannot do anything about it. I spoke with the selector, and he told me that he cannot give the reasons for my dismissal over the phone, but that he would do so in person when we first meet.

I was kicked out and dismissed based on gossip, a "he said, she said" story, a story that has nothing to do with the truth and common sense, and accusations for stories that can be set up for anyone every day, taken out of context.

I do not consider anything abnormal or unusual here. It is the selector's discretionary right to choose the people he trusts, works with, and whose stories he listens to. I have no reason to complain about that, and I did not intend to... but there is no point in bowing my head when someone attacks me unjustifiably and publicly.

I tried to remain silent until this statement. After this, I will remain silent again. Yesterday, through statements, I did not mention any "peace in the house"... the only thing I said was: "I have no comment, I wish the national team all the best."

I asked the director of the national team for a written reason for my dismissal a month ago. To this day, I have not received it. I was told that the selector said it was not necessary and that he would explain the situation to the media if anyone asked, without any harsh words.

There was no agreement on the manner of separation mentioned in the report on the federation's website. On two occasions, the selector asked me to issue a statement saying that I was withdrawing on my own due to personal and health reasons, and to say that my club was not allowing me to come. Neither the club nor I agreed to that request.

The only agreement and request was that we not engage in any kind of conflict, which I tried to do by not commenting on the situation. Last night, I also tried to calm the situation. At the time of the publication of the official report on the federation's website, I spoke with selector Vujošević and the director of the national team, begging them not to release a statement to the public where I am attacked without arguments. The selector explained that it was already done, that the portals had taken it over, and that I should not worry and that it would not jeopardize my career. I do not need a career, I need my health. My family's health, and mine. While the director claimed he did not even know about the statement, and later that nothing could be done.

The report also mentioned loyalty, i.e., disloyalty. I have been loyal to Vujošević from day one, delighted by his knowledge. For ten years, he has been my basketball idol. I am also loyal to the national team of Bosnia and Herzegovina. I had an offer from the U18 national team of Croatia. And I refused. If loyalty means sucking up, then I am not loyal.

With the national team of Bosnia and Herzegovina, I won three gold medals (Sarajevo U20 B division, Tbilisi Youth Olympic Games U16, Kaunas European Championship U16). The federation should have protected me at least minimally so that I would not be slandered, so that conflict would not be allowed, not out of sympathy, but because of the results that cannot be taken away from me.

Several times, people from the federation's leadership stated that the selector unjustifiably dismissed me. That opinion, which I heard with my own ears, is contradicted by the statement on the official website of the federation, where I am attacked on a personal level without any arguments. The official website of the federation exists for official information about the federation, not for personal opinions and expressing them on the topic of who is what kind of person.

How is it possible that the director of the national team says he did not know about what was published on the official website of the federation? Who decides what will be published? Who decides on the appointment of coaches, dismissals, life and death in Bosnian basketball? Why are the statements of the director and the selector different within 8 hours?

My field is not arguments, insinuations, fabrications, word games, twisting every story to one's advantage, and conclusions without arguments. I call things by their real name. The way they happened. I am aware that after this text, I will no longer have access to the national team of Bosnia and Herzegovina for a long time, but I will not bow my head. Nor will I play tactics, nor remain silent just to negotiate a better position tomorrow, as many do.

I wish all members of the national team to experience what I experienced in five years of working with the national team – said Josip Pandža.