Panathinaikos will take part in Euroleague Basketball Asia Tour, as tjey will travel to China in a few days for two friendly matches and Vlado Jankovic, who was also present in the first visit of Panathinaikos in the most populous country on the planet, two years ago, analyzes his thoughts about this beautiful and interesting experience.
-Vlado this is going to be your second visit, within a very short time, in China. Which are your thoughts ahead of this event?
Positive sure ... Besides, if I could turn back time for a moment and remember our first experience in China, I will have only beautiful feelings: China’s people greeted warmly to us. They were hospitable while, on our side we met a special and very interesting culture. I think that we have to look for it. I mean that we have to learn from every place we travel and visit as we are world citizens and basketball can reduce distances and open the borders.
-Se are you feeling as an… Ambassador somehow?
We can say so. We are representing Panathinaikos, the most successful club in Europe this century, as also highlighted in the Euroleague. We are representing Turkish Airlines Euroleague, a giant and competitive organization that- normally- has gained global attention. We are representing, also, Greek basketball which has so many successes at club and national level as many no other sport in our country. Therefore, rightly is called "National Sport of the Greeks".
-Could you send a “message” to the fans for the event?
We should always try to be consistent inside and outside the court. We have to send the message that all sports- basketball in our case- has no borders. We should also know that to teach our know-how is very important as well to understand that we can earn something from everyone. Athletes, as I said before, are citizens of the world.
-Have you learned any Chinese word?
I am doing well with foreign languages and believe me, it will be not difficult for me, even some people will think that it is going to be difficult. Let's start with the simple: «Ni hao» ... That is "hello" ... Just say so to greet our friends in China who will come to see us in both games with the Zhejiang Lions on September 28 in the city of Hangzhou and on September 30 with the Guangdong Tigers in the city of Macau. We are expecting these games and we will do everything for the fans to have great time. We are still in pre-season but we will play seriously as official games approaching and we must be ready.
