Water Polo in Georgia: Current State and Development Prospects

Abstract

Preparation is underway in Georgian water polo for 2028. By decision of the European Swimming Federation, the Water Polo Championship will be held in Tbilisi in two years. The best teams of the continent will gather in the country’s capital. In this article we discuss the results of the Georgian water polo champion team “Apollo” in the Euro League round in Montpellier, France held in 2026 and show that our sportsmen can successfully compete against Europe’s best teams. But despite the progress, Georgian water polo still faces challenges. The number of Olympic-size pools remains limited, and financial support is smaller compared with leading European countries such as Hungary, Serbia, Croatia, and Italy. Water polo has strategic importance for Georgian sports because it increases the country’s visibility in aquatic disciplines beyond swimming. Participation in European and world championships strengthens Georgia’s sporting reputation and creates opportunities for international cooperation. Compared with traditional water polo powers such as Hungary, Serbia, and Croatia, Georgia is still developing. However, its steady improvement during the last decade demonstrates significant potential for future success. In this context, it is obvious that more financial support is needed to create a stable and reliable basis for further development of water polo in Georgia. We also point out the need for more active use of scientific research methods to optimize the training process and improve the physical and technical preparation of athletes.