Nurkic, Musa denounce conditions in Bosnian camp: 'We can't get basic things' / News - Basketnews.com

Even though the Bosnian federation's financial woes had seemingly been settled, Jusuf Nurkic and Dzanan Musa recently came forward with new statements highlighting an acute and everlasting problem.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Last summer, Bosnia and Herzegovina was struggling to secure the funds necessary to participate in the 2022 EuroBasket. The estimated amount stated in the announcement was around 200,000 Bosnian marks, equaling 102,000 euros.

"No matter how much we don't want all this circus to not disturb us, I can't say that it doesn't disturb us. Today we supposedly have two training sessions, we don't have any preparatory games. I think this is shameful," the team's star player,Jusuf Nurkic, told NOVA BH about the situation before the tournament tipped off.

In Cologne, Bosnia and Herzegovina held the chance to go to EuroBasket 2022 playoffs in their hands but lost the last two games against France and Lithuania, which meant that the Balkan national team had to go home.

After the tournament was over, Nurkic appeared determined to take matters into his own hands if that means improved conditions and decreased uncertainty for the country's national teams.

"It starts with the Federation. What do we have? Do we have people who lead it, do we get a coach 10 days before? A lot of things happen before sport, sport is the easiest part," he stated.

"Give me the President of the Association, the director, and the Board of Directors, and Bosnia and Herzegovina will never have problems with preparations, hotels, or food again. If you can do that, I am ready to take over all the functions myself if it's up to me," Nurkic said.

The Bosnians looked noticeably tired during the last match against Lithuania. Although the players tried to mount a comeback, their efforts were denied by the fired-up Lithuanians.

"What's the point if four players sleep in one bed, if we don't solve some things that are priorities? People have to understand that the national team is above everything, in any matter, we have to know that the athletes are given the best conditions," the center spoke.

Now, Bosnia and Herzegovina are playing in the Olympic Pre-Qualification tournament, where they have already faced Portugal (which they beat) and Poland (to which they lost). Nurkic, who recently got married and then entered into a public conflict with his father, has again referred to the major problems the national team has been facing for years.

"We all came together to send a strong message. We have been going through the same problems for the last 30 years," the Portland Trail Blazers center said.

"We have to start from the conditions. We have big problems every year. We can't get the basic things, we have no one to turn to. We bring much better results than the conditions we're given. We have no conditions, four players sleep in a room," Nurkic repeated.

"We are going to Poland to win the tournament. We don't have a fitness coach. We have to ensure normal conditions for guys who want to play for Bosnia and Herzegovina in the future. We have a circus and they will go to play for other national teams," said the Bosnian big man, using the same strong language.

In a recent discussion with BasketNews, Frank Garza, father of the latest Bosnian NT recruit and Minnesota Timberwolves big man Luka Garza, said Bosnia's financial hardships have been settled.

"Things have been repaired and are in good position. It was tough when they didn't have enough money for insurance, or all the other things," he said.

Dzanan Musa touched on the issue last January, indicating that the problem is still there, more than likely to re-appear before the next big tournament.

"I don't know what to say. It's a very tough subject to talk about," the Real Madrid forward told BasketNews.

"I'm playing in the best club in Europe, but when I go back to my country, nothing's easy. At the end of the day, you're not playing for your country for the money or for fame. You're playing because you love it. That's something that pushes us," he added.

However, Musa doesn't think players should take some initiatives and pay for expenses out of their own pockets like Nurkic offered to do.

"Our job isn't that," he clarified. "We're players, and all we should care about is what happens on the court. Money and stuff like that in the national team isn't our problem."

In his most recent statements, Musa also appeared very dissatisfied with the treatment of the basketball players.

"The things that Jusuf said were things that we all know. Things have to be resolved immediately. We don't have a plan, it's impossible for four people to sleep in one room and touch each other's feet," he pointed out.

"It is important that the Federation stands behind us. While other national teams have 9-10 prep games each, we have two. We are going to win the tournament," he assured, "but the question is whether this is normal."

Credit REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen

Team captain Miralem Halilovic, 31, also pointed out that there are problems and asked for them to be solved as soon and as efficiently as possible.

"We are grateful for the help. Our opinion is that the Federation must find a way to finance itself. Look at what Slovenia is doing. Financing is always a problem. Why not set up some fan shops, and advertisements with guys like Garza and Nurkic?" he wondered.

Everything depends on improvisation. We go to the gym by taxi, we sleep in cars... We come here for our love for the national team. Anything but winning the tournament is a failure," the player of Galatasaray said.

Bosnia NT coach Adis Beciragic felt the need to apologize for the situation.

"Our players are ready both mentally and physically. They are well-behaved and trained. I thank them for everything. We're are obliged to provide them with what they need so that the issue isn't talked about at all.

These guys need an army of people around them, which is normal. We need a way to solve this", said the Bosnian tactician.

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