Honorary President of the VTB United League Sergei Ivanov has passed away at the age of 73. Well-known figures from sport and public life shared their thoughts on the statesman and sports enthusiast.
President of the VTB United League Sergey Kushchenko: «What Sergei Borisovich did for basketball as a whole is beyond words. For our national teams, which reached their greatest heights while Ivanov sat on the board of trustees; for his brainchild, the VTB United League; for CSKA, which he loved dearly. He left an indelible mark on all of our basketball. For me personally this is an enormous loss. We shared the same tastes and the same outlook on life – from our taste in music to a love of travelling across our boundless Russia. I still can’t take in what has happened.»
General Director of the VTB United League Ilona Korstin: «I offer my deepest condolences to Sergei Borisovich’s family. This is a huge loss for the country and for all of Russian basketball. An entire era has ended. For me, Sergei Borisovich was a model of fairness, honesty and dignity. I knew him back when I played for the Russian national team. He presented state awards to our national team on many occasions, came to games, and supported both the women’s and the men’s national teams of Russia.
After my playing career ended, Sergei Borisovich gave me the chance to work at the VTB United League as General Director, and throughout all these years he was the flagship of the League and of Russian basketball. Thanks to his contribution, the VTB United League became one of the strongest basketball competitions in Europe. We are immensely grateful to Sergei Borisovich for his support, his trust and his work. We will always remember him as a strong, fair and wonderful man who dearly loved basketball.»
CSKA President Andrey Vatutin: «Sergei Borisovich held a huge and important place in my life, and for me personally this is a great loss. For more than 20 years we lived through season after season together, went through more than one EuroLeague Final Four and national-team tournaments. For me Sergei Borisovich was a mentor, an older friend and a critic, yet after big wins or high-profile signings I always knew that in the morning the phone would ring and a voice would say: ‘Ivanov’s office, connecting you with Sergei Borisovich…’ And the conversation would end with his trademark ‘say hello to everyone.’ There will be no more calls… He didn’t like to talk about his own achievements or highlight his role in this or that shared success, even though he did an incredible amount for the good of the club – it was never something public, but I understand perfectly well how much effort it took. Sergei Borisovich sincerely loved basketball and was incredibly devoted to our game. Thanks to his care for CSKA, the team gave its fans a great many of the most positive emotions.
And, more broadly, this is an irreplaceable loss for the whole country, which has lost an outstanding figure who did an enormous amount of good in the highest of offices. It is more fitting for us to speak about basketball, and here one can say with confidence: an entire era has ended with him – one that took in CSKA’s big wins on the international and domestic stage, the creation of the VTB League and its rise into one of the strongest and most respected competitions in Europe. He was always deeply immersed in every basketball question, understood both the game and management, stayed in touch and readily got involved in solving any problems that arose… Filling this void will be incredibly hard. Sincere condolences to the family and friends of Sergei Borisovich, and to everyone who personally knew this remarkable man.»
President of the Russian Basketball Federation Andrey Kirilenko: «I offer my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Sergei Borisovich Ivanov. I won’t be wrong in the slightest if I say that he was the biggest basketball fan in Russia. Despite his venerable age, Sergei Borisovich took part in the country’s basketball life right up to his final days. On Tuesday he was at the VTB United League Board Meeting, as focused and engaged as ever in every issue put up for discussion. It is hard even to imagine how much time and energy a man who held various state posts and offices devoted to his – and our – favourite game.
The Russian Basketball Federation also owes Sergei Borisovich its thanks for his wide-ranging help and his work on the board of trustees. Sergei Borisovich was passionate about the game in the best sense and was a true fan of basketball. Our sport was fortunate to have such a patron, supporter, helper and enthusiast. May he rest in peace.»
Two-time Olympic champion and State Duma deputy Vyacheslav Fetisov: «Sergei Borisovich was a statesman who held high offices: he was Minister of Defence in a difficult period, and in recent times he worked on environmental issues – no easy task in our country. He managed to achieve a great deal thanks to his authority and his grasp of any situation.
He was a great lover of sport and treated it with enormous respect. When the President appointed me to lead the country’s sport in 2002, Sergei Borisovich supported me, helped me and offered advice.
He played basketball himself, loved the game dearly, went to games, created the United League and cheered for CSKA. He held athletes, the history of sport and its veterans in the highest regard. This is very sad news for the whole country, and especially for the sporting community. My condolences to his family and loved ones. May his memory be bright.»
Vice-President of the Russian Ice Hockey Federation Roman Rotenberg: «Sergei Borisovich Ivanov has passed away – the former Minister of Defence of Russia and Head of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation.
Sergei Borisovich devoted his whole life to serving his Homeland. He was the model of a true patriot, a man for whom service to his country was a genuine calling.
I had the chance to know Sergei Borisovich personally, and for me he will always be remembered as an exceptionally experienced and level-headed man with a broad range of knowledge across many fields, which he put to use wherever he served and worked, always caring deeply about our country.
Sergei Borisovich will be remembered as a man who was passionate about and sincerely devoted to Russian sport. He stood at the very origins of the VTB United League and made a key contribution to the growth and development of Russian basketball.
Sergei Borisovich always cared about the Russian national ice hockey team and celebrated its successes. He paid a great deal of attention to CSKA’s teams across various sports.
My most sincere condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Sergei Borisovich. He will forever remain in our memory and in our hearts.»
President of Lokomotiv-Kuban Andrey Vedishchev: «Honorary President of the VTB United League Sergei Borisovich Ivanov has passed away.
Sergei Borisovich was held in deep respect by his colleagues and by everyone lucky enough to know this strong, wise and worthy man.
He made a colossal contribution to the development of Russian basketball. Thanks to his efforts, the VTB United League became the most prestigious and popular basketball competition in the post-Soviet space.
Sergei Borisovich was a prominent statesman who devoted his whole life to serving Russia. His service in the country’s defence and state-security bodies was a model of courage, composure, responsibility and devotion to duty and to the Homeland.
I offer my deepest condolences to the family, loved ones and colleagues of Sergei Borisovich.
May his memory be bright.»
President of PFC CSKA Evgeny Giner: «I am deeply grieved by the passing of my close friend and comrade Sergei Borisovich Ivanov, and I offer my sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.
For many years I admired Sergei Borisovich’s tremendous energy and capacity for work, and his determination to make the Army club’s sport – our football club included – even stronger and more successful.
I always knew that he was a true devotee of PFC CSKA, a real supporter who stayed loyal and faithful to the team in any situation and under any circumstances. And he was always beside us – both in the days of big wins and in the bitter moments of defeat.
That is how we will remember Sergei Borisovich. He will forever remain in the memory and hearts of many generations of our players, coaches and the vast army of fans.»
President of the Russian Premier League Alexander Alaev: «For basketball and for all of Russian sport alike, the passing of Sergei Borisovich Ivanov is an enormous loss. Sergei Borisovich loved sport devotedly and was the main driving force and architect of the vast structure of modern Russian basketball. CSKA’s EuroLeague wins, the legendary triumph at EuroBasket 2007, the unforgettable bronze at the 2012 Olympics – in every one of our basketball’s greatest successes, the active involvement and influence of Sergei Borisovich is plain to see.
And the creation of the international United League was a special milestone in the history of Russia’s professional sports industry. A contribution of this kind to the development of sport cannot be overstated. On my own behalf and on behalf of the entire Russian Premier League, I offer my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Sergei Borisovich.»
Secretary General and Executive Director of the Russian Basketball Federation Vladimir Dyachok: «A huge loss for all of Russian basketball. Sergei Borisovich stood at the origins of every major basketball project ever carried out in our country. He supported clubs, leagues and the federation alike. He paid close attention to every problem facing basketball in the country. He took part in the life of the United League right up to his final days; on Tuesday he attended and took part in the work of the League’s Board Meeting. I offer my condolences to his family and loved ones. May his memory be bright.»
