Leader Of Belarus Handball Team: We Play For People

Artsiom Karaliok shared his opinion on the situation in Belarus.

The leader of the Belarusian national handball team Artsiom Karaliok stands for honest elections and justice. In October, he put his jersey up for auction and donated the proceeds to the Belarusian Sports Solidarity Fund to help injured athletes. Artsiom shared his opinion about the situation in Belarus, as well as the feelings with which he is preparing to come to the national team, with the journalist of Hrodna.life.

Let's live in a democratic society

Artsiom Karaliok has been playing in the national team of Belarus for 6 years. He also plays for the Polish team Vive Kielce. The Hrodna native did not sign any of the open letters of the athletes: neither the opposition, nor the pro-government. In the first letter, he disagrees with the point that he will stop playing for the national team. And he does not sign the second letter because he does not support violence, and stands for fair elections.

“All events fell on me like a huge snowball. I was thinking what to do. At first I did not understand what was happening in the country, but then I began to speak out against violence. I am not that kind of person, I cannot remain silent when terrible things happen in my native country.”

Artsiom treats all athletes who sign in letters the same way. He does not judge anyone. He says everyone makes their own choice.

“The Belarusian people want to follow the path of democracy, freedom of speech and freedom of choice, so here everyone is free to do whatever they want. As for those who sign in the pro-government letter, I am calm. No one can be criticized - everyone make their own choice. Yes, there is pressure on the athletes and this is terrible. Honestly, I don't know what I would have done in this situation if I were in Belarus on a permanent basis. But I am proud of those athletes who are not silent and speak out.”

I was shocked when Leuchanka was detained

In October, Artsiom Karaliok put up for auction his jersey with autographs of the Vive Kielce players. Thus, he expressed solidarity with the Belarusian athletes who were detained for their civil position. More than $ 400 was raised for the T-shirt for the Belarusian Sports Solidarity Fund. The T-shirt was bought by a man from Minsk.

“I was contacted by the fund and offered to put the jersey up for auction, so I could help the athletes. I immediately agreed, as I was shocked when basketball player Yelena Leuchanka was detained. When I was younger, I followed her career. I liked the way she plays basketball, bringing glory to our country.”

Artsiom's teammates and fans supported the Belarusian people

“Everyone was interested in the situation in Belarus. After all, we are their neighbors and they are also somehow worried, expressing words of support. They compared our events with what they had in 1980.

“I want everyone to be aware of”

The training camp for the national team will begin in mid-December and Artsiom is going to come to Belarus. He is not afraid to go home. He says that he hasn't had any problems because of his statements. He believes that this is possibly due to the fact that he plays in Poland.

“Maybe when I come to the training camp, then something will happen. I will not be surprised at anything. In our time, it is not necessary to do something; anyone can be detained. But I will say this: I have invested too much time and energy in the national team to lose everything now. I want to play and I hope I will continue to do so.

We are not playing for officials or Lukashenka, we are for the people, for the entire Belarusian nation.

Many athletes are worried about the events in Belarus, but this should not affect the games and the training process. As for myself, I can say - I'm a professional. I've been playing all my life and I don't think it's right to transfer any experiences to the court. During training and games, I disengage myself from everything that happens.”