Teletović responded to criticism and media coverage

Mirza Teletović's address to the BiH public, following the success of BiH basketball, is fully conveyed by Patria. Teletović came under public fire for not playing in the pre-qualifications. Therefore, he felt the need to explain and address the BiH fans:

- In the past few days, I have been reading and listening to stories about the BiH basketball team and I cannot help but wonder if some individuals truly think I am not playing for the national team out of some whim?

It is my national team too! I have played for BiH for over 13 years and I will play again, if luck and health permit, because I have no alternative homeland.

Do you think I don't sit in front of the TV and watch our guys give their all for the national team jersey and fight, just as I have bled for the jersey with the coat of arms for years?!

Yes, I know – someone will ask me why I am sitting in front of the TV and watching, when I could have played and have the right to do so, just as I have the right to dedicate myself to my family and my children. Is it a crime, after talking with the Vice-President of the Federation, to agree to skip the pre-qualifications so that attention can be given to the younger players!?

Why do we always have to prove ourselves to people and explain to them why we did one thing and not another, and why do we always take sides with some and belittle others?

What if, for a change, we were all on the same side – on the side of good people, and what if we started respecting each other?!

To coach Vujošević, whom I highly respect and with whom I have already discussed this matter, and to all the guys playing in the pre-qualifications, I wish all the best in the world, because I have walked their path before.

I walked a path strewn with thorns, I bled and threw myself for every ball, and I know what the guys are going through, and I commend them for it. They have shown that our basketball has a bright future and that we do not need to worry about successors.

Before me there were Neno, Firke, and others, then came my five minutes, and then there will be a generational change again, and in order for us to know what we have, we had to give these guys an opportunity to show what they can do.

Therefore, do not waste time pouring venom on those of us who are not there, but rather support those who are currently playing in the pre-qualifications, and I am currently, along with my family, that passionate fan who lives for my country in a million different ways and proudly represents it in the world.

I am a proud Bosnian and Herzegovinian, and no one can take that away from me, and I am raising my children that way too, because we only have one home!

Go guys, to victory! - wrote Teletović.