„I am the first woman in history who came forward and personally offered financial support for girls’ basketball, and then I was asked if I could become a member of the association on a voluntary basis and help women’s basketball. I agreed. <…> I am now serving my second term and so far I haven’t received a single call from journalists. Congratulations, you are the second person in six years who has called me,“ – 15min said businesswoman Alina Adomaitytė.
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The 38-year-old Vilnius resident responsible for the development of Lithuanian women’s basketball, currently living in Dubai, was supposed to participate in the LRT show “Not So Simple” on Wednesday, but declined the invitation due to illness.
15min asked A. Adomaitytė to respond to the heated discussion that took place on the show, during which the president of the “Lithuanian Basketball” association, Mindaugas Balčiūnas, had to fend off several criticisms, mostly regarding the questionable investigation into the behavior of former Lithuanian women’s national basketball team coach Rimantas Grigas towards players.
A. Adomaitytė directed her response not to the content of the show, but to the problems of women’s basketball in Lithuania.
„This show seemed like a political program. I would really be happy if such attention was given when we win something, especially for women’s basketball, – 15min said the ALK vice president. – Currently, very little attention is paid to women’s, girls’, and girls’ basketball because all the focus is on men’s basketball. Support for women’s basketball is very low. When we have an issue regarding saving one team or another, when the discussion is about 5 or 10 thousand euros, we can’t find any sponsor. It is really very difficult.
If the big clubs wanted to, they could contribute somewhat to promoting women’s basketball. Today, attention is given to topics that, of course, are very important, but no one talks to me. I have been in this position for two terms, and you are talking to me for the first time. Women’s basketball has never been given any attention, no one has ever asked me anything, no one has ever called.
Look at the attendance at the games, even though entry is free. The whole cycle starts with the attention given to women’s basketball. If there is attention, if basketball is visible in the public eye, then sponsors appear, then teams receive more money and something can be discussed. This is a very, very broad topic.
As a woman, I would like to say that basketball needs more women. I would really like more attention to girls’ basketball, women’s basketball. The reality is very harsh – we receive absolutely no attention. Whether it is the first president of the association or the second… I am now 38 years old, I have been involved in sports since I was 6 years old. I have been involved in five sports, and I can say that women’s sports receive very little attention, not to mention support. If girls go into sports, they pay for it themselves. This needs to be looked at on a state level, starting from schools, then state schools, academies. These are all the paths through which it is developed and managed.
I am in this position on a voluntary basis, I receive nothing and have no employment contract. I am vice president on a voluntary basis, I always try to help with all the issues I am asked about. If I am not included, then I am not included. I have no employment contract, so I help as much as I am asked. I became the ambassador for the 2027 European Championship. And I did not become one alone. I suggested doing something, traveling through cities, but no one was interested. I cannot travel the whole country alone. There needs to be unity, more people who want to do good.
We always quickly manage to throw mud, but there are no people who really want to help. That would be my answer. I am sorry that it is like this. I watched yesterday’s show, I thought it was sad because of what is really happening, but on the other hand, there was not a single woman on the show. Okay, I am vice president, but there are many basketball players, women, journalists in basketball. Why was there not a single one there? Why?“
Although she was a member of the EDAK commission investigating possible cases of harassment by former women’s national team coach R. Grigas, A. Adomaitytė considers this investigation “not serious” and suggests that girls should directly contact the police in the future.
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15min she presented her arguments.
