26/03/2020 12:00
‘After this break our game will only get more beautiful’ – Egor Kliuka
News from the CEV
Luxembourg, March 26, 2020. While waiting for the world to leave these challenging times behind and for life to come back to normal, we are reaching out to some of our star players to understand how they are coping with the situation and what sort of message they can share with their fans. We start this series of chats with Egor Kliuka, with the young outside hitter of Fakel NOVY URENGOY standing out as one of the most impressive players of his generation. Kliuka’s Champions League debut this season has resulted in two MVP awards from the home matches with ACH Volley LJUBLJANA and BERLIN Recycling Volleys.
“Right now, I am at home in Belarus. I use this opportunity to see my family,” says Kliuka. Waiting for further news after the Russian Volleyball Federation stopped their national league last Friday, Egor is still working, as far as he can. “I keep fit working in the gym, because finding a Volleyball court where to train is now problematic,” he admits.
Kliuka helped secure Russia’s participation in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics last summer when his team emerged victorious from an intercontinental qualifier in Saint Petersburg. However, the IOC announced yesterday that the Olympics would be taking place in the summer of 2021. “The postponement of the Olympics is probably the right decision because people from all over the world would have come together in Tokyo, and this is now quite dangerous. I am nevertheless glad that the IOC did not cancel the Olympics and that the Games will be taking place, even though not this year. I see this as an opportunity, so that we can prepare even better and heal old injuries,” Egor continues.
The 24-year-old Russian star invites fans to stay positive, despite all circumstances and constraints. “Let us make sure that this time, which people spend in isolation and away from Volleyball, can be beneficial. I think that things will get better soon, so do not panic and worry. Therefore, I invite everyone to treat any injuries you may have and to rest – from a psychological point of view as well. I hope that soon we will return to our work and daily routines. I am sure that after this break our game will only get better and more beautiful,” Kliuka says with much optimism.
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