On June 15, the Congress of the Georgian Ski Federation (A)LP was held at the ,,Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel“, within the framework of which important issues related to the activities of the Federation were discussed.
The agenda of the Congress included: changing the name of the Federation, approving a new version of the Statutes, electing the President, Vice-Presidents, Secretary General, members of the Presidium and Treasurer. As well as discussing issues initiated by members and making relevant decisions.
The name of the Federation was changed by the decision of the International Ski Federation (FIS). The request of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation envisages reflecting the snowboarding direction in the names of national federations. Accordingly, the organization was named the “Georgian Ski and Snowboard Federation”.
The congress also approved a new version of the Federation’s statutes.
The delegates elected Zurab Kostava as the President of the Georgian Ski and Snowboard Federation by a majority vote. The following were elected as Vice-Presidents: Ekaterine Gabashvili, Ekaterine Orjonikidze, Patrick Lang, Gocha Chelidze and Irakli Burchuladze. Irina Achba was elected as the Secretary General of the Federation. (See detailed information below)
The Presidium of the Federation was also formed and the Treasurer was elected.
During the congress, the members also discussed other current issues related to the activities of the Federation.
Zurab Kostava – “I would like to thank the delegates for their trust. Our goal is to hold the stages of the Alpine Skiing European Cup – slalom and giant slalom – in Georgia and have them on the calendar for the next 4 years. This will be a prerequisite for the World Cup stages to be held in the future. At the end of the month, the FIS will arrive for inspection, and it will be decided whether it will be held in Gudauri or Bakuriani. Freestyle events are also planned to be held in the future.“
Deputy Head of the Sports Department Giorgi Kereselidze: -,,I congratulate the President of the Georgian Ski Federation Zurab Kosatava and his team. We will do everything we can to support young athletes to achieve success.“
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Zurab Kostava – Biography
Zurab Kostava was born on March 15, 1970, in Tbilisi. He has been the President of the Georgian Ski Federation since 2014.
During his presidency, the Georgian Ski Federation organized the World Cup and European Cup stages in Bakuriani and Gudauri in 2021 and 2022. He currently leads the team of organizers of the World Cup stages in various ski resorts in Georgia.
Zurab Kostava was the President of the LOC for the 2023 FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Freestyle World Championships in Bakuriani.
Kostava successfully graduated from the Georgian Technical University in 1992; holds a Master of Business Administration degree; was a member of the Georgian youth water polo team.
Since 1994, he has worked in the business sector, holding management positions in various companies.
In 2004-2008, he was a member of the Parliament of Georgia.
Since 2011, he has held senior management positions at JSC Silknet, a telecommunications company in Georgia, which is the main sponsor of the Georgian Ski Federation GSF.
Since 2015, he has been the First Deputy Director of Service Net Group LLC.
Zurab Kostava is married and has two daughters.
Patrick Lang – Biography
Patrick Lang was born on March 22, 1950 in Basel, France.
Patrick Lang is an architect/mathematician by profession.
He has been involved in sports journalism since 1970.
Patrick Lang has extensive experience in journalism. He is a television producer and press officer for high-level competitions in various sports.
Patrick is known in the world of sports as a creative and professional journalist. Patrick advises various sports federations on the organization of events and competitions.
Patrick has his own team that works with international media. His goal is to promote the development of sports. Patrick is also an advisor to famous athletes.
A key component of Patrick Lang’s work is working on communication projects (initiating, creating and managing) for sports projects with the media, sponsors and federations.
Patrick Lang is the son of Sergi Lang, the founder of the FIS World Cup Tour.
He is a ski correspondent for magazines and websites in Europe, Japan and North America.
Patrick Lang is the author of the books: 20 Years on the World Cup Tour, Great Skiing Moments and 25 Years on the World Cup Tour in Val d’Isere. Patrick Lang has written official biographies of the legendary Ingermar Stenmark and Alberto Tomba.
Patrick Lang is a consultant to many World Cup Tour sponsors: Yves Saint-Germain, Danone, Philip Morris, BASF, Café Lavazza, Sergio Tacchini, Café de Columbia, Kraft Food and Longines.
Since 2018, he has been the Vice President of the Georgian Ski Federation.
Patrick Lang is married and has three children.
Ekaterine Gabashvili – Biography
Ekaterine Gabashvili was born on April 8, 1974, in Tbilisi.
She is a journalist, PR technologies and communications specialist, with many years of experience in the fields of sports management, marketing and public relations.
Since 2010, she has held the position of Head of PR and Marketing at the Georgian Ski Federation, where she is responsible for the development of the federation’s communication strategy, media relations and sports promotion directions.
Since 2016, she has been the Vice-President of the Georgian Ski Federation and actively works towards the development of winter sports, deepening international cooperation and presenting Georgia’s skiing potential.
In 2009–2016, she was the organizer of the Georgian Ski Championship and the Georgian Cup. During the same period, she led and organized a number of international ski competitions, the successful holding of which significantly contributed to the popularization of Georgia as an international winter sports destination.
Over the years, she has been actively participating in ski sports development projects in the regions of Georgia, including initiatives to involve young people in sports, develop infrastructure, and promote winter sports.
Ekaterine Orjonikidze – biography
Ekaterine Orjonikidze was born in Borjomi
on September 15, 1969.
She is a Germanist by profession, with many years of pedagogical experience.
Since 2023, she has been the Chairman of the Bakuriani Development Agency, and since 2016, she has held the position of Vice-President of the Georgian Ski Federation.
in the direction of springboard jumping and wrestling.
He was actively involved in the organizational issues of the 2023 World Championships and the 2025 Winter Youth Olympic Festival.
Gocha Chelidze – Biography
Born on October 19, 1969, in Borjomi.
In 1992, he successfully completed his studies at the Georgian Agrarian University, and was awarded the qualification of an economist. In 1999, he graduated from the Faculty of Law of Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University and received the qualification of a jurist.
In 2008–2010, he was the governor of Mestia Municipality. With his direct initiative and active participation, the mountain-skiing infrastructure and sports in Upper Svaneti underwent significant development, which laid the foundation for the region’s tourism and sports progress.
In 2012–2015, he was the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Envoy of Georgia to the Republic of Belarus.
While working in various responsible positions, he actively participated in the country’s economic development, implementation of regional policy, and the effective functioning of state institutions, thereby making a significant contribution to the socio-economic progress of Georgia.
He currently works at the Georgian National Academy of Sciences and is a doctoral candidate at the St. Andrew the First-Called Georgian University.
He has published many books, monographs, scientific articles, and publications within the framework of his scientific and research activities; he is the author of a number of research papers.
He is a multiple champion and prize-winner of Georgia in alpine skiing. He was a member of the Georgian Olympic team for the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics, but was unable to participate in the Olympic competitions due to an injury.
He participated in the battles for the territorial integrity of Georgia.
Through many years of public, state and scientific activity, he has made a significant contribution to the development of the country and the research of Georgian historical and cultural heritage.
Irakli Burchuladze – Biography
Irakli Burchuladze has more than 15 years of experience in the public and private sectors. He holds a Master of Science degree in Finance from the Hult International Business School and a Bachelor of Science degree in International Economic Relations from the International Black Sea University.
He began his career in the public sector by participating in the implementation of two of Georgia’s most important national reforms, the pension reform and the capital market reform. After receiving his master’s degree, Irakli became the Deputy Director General of the newly established Pension Agency. Later, he was appointed Deputy Head of the Office of the Prime Minister of Georgia, where his main function was the financial management of the office.
Irakli next became the General Director of M.T.A. LLC, a position he held until June 1, 2026, after which he was transferred to the position of a member of the company’s Supervisory Board. As General Director, for four years he oversaw the development and operation of four Georgian ski resorts – Gudauri, Bakuriani, Mestia and Goderdzi.
Under his leadership, the company implemented large-scale infrastructure projects in the shortest possible time. In Bakuriani, this included the construction of a 30-kilometer-long artificial snowmaking system, two artificial lakes, and an athletes’ village, which played a crucial role.
