Football: Ex-Belarus goalkeeper backs return to mother tongue

The former football Belarus national team goalkeeper Vasil Khamutouski spoked to pressball.by about his attitude to the mother toungue.

"The wonderful saying goes: If you want to ruin a nation, eliminate its language," says Khamoutouski.  I really like the Belarusian language. This is our roots. When I was graduating from the high school, some subjects were taught in the Belarusian language. I wish things went back. People should not forget their native tongue."  He also reminded that on his high school diploma he has the Belarusian national coat-of-arms Pahonia (removed in 1995).

Vasil Khamutouski reckons the education system in Belarus should be "slowly", "wisely" and "without rush" switched to the Belarusian language. However, the Russian language should not be forgotten, he adds. "The Russian language should be left at school. This is the language of our neighbors and brothers. We should learn Russian but also other languages - French, German. But the Belarusian language should be prioritized," says Belarus former goalkeeper. Read the full interview with him here.

Vasil Khamutouski is 37. He is a playing goalkeeper coach at FC Dynamo Minsk. Vasil played for Belarus in 2000-2008.