The Embassy of Georgia collaborated with the Welsh Government in North America and the Embassy of Portugal to unite Rugby-loving people and nations ahead of the Georgian “Lelos” game against Wales. The festive event featured local food and drinks from the three countries, including Georgian wines, Portuguese ports, and Welsh whiskey.
As Georgian Ambassador to the U.S. David Zalkaliani said in his address, while the sport traces back to the small English town of Rugby, Georgians have played a similar game, Leloburti—hence why the Rugby world calls the Georgian National Team, “the Lelos”—for ages.
Georgians are immensely proud of the Lelos for positioning Georgia on the global rugby map and inspiring many to engage with this unique sport. Over the years, Georgian Rugby has shown remarkable progress, winning the Rugby Europe championship 15 times and delivering solid performances against tier-one rugby nations. Notably, Georgia defeated Italy and Wales last year.’ Such performances demonstrate that so-called tier 2 nations can punch well above their weight.
Georgia’s outsized global presence extends beyond Rugby. Georgians have stood side-by-side with U.S. and NATO forces, contributing the most troops per capita and the third highest in total to U.S.-led missions in Afghanistan. To this day, Georgia protects and advances NATO’s interests in the increasingly vital Black Sea and South Caucasus regions by facilitating the emergence of an alternative “Middle Corridor” and spearheading the diversification of Europe’s energy through the Black Sea Submarine Electric Cable.
Georgia has been and remains an active global citizen, joining its friends and allies in both the best and worst times. Georgia is a team player, committed to integrating into the E.U. and advancing democracy, prosperity, and security at home and abroad.