We remember and love you, Sasha! 7 july 2007

Photographer: Sergey Kivrin - Andrey Golovanov

These words are written on the memorial tablet in memory of the BC Khimki captain Alexander Petrenko. It was opened and will be hanging on the front of Basketball Center where Petrenko played. The well-known in basketball world persons – players, coaches, organization mans, Sasha’s friends, the BC Khimki management, the leaders of the urban district Khimki and fans participated in the action.

In half an hour before the official ceremony the orchestra greeted the guests. The tablet was covered with white silk and Petrenko from the photo looked at his friends. The great atmosphere created the feeling of the holiday…

But the cause to meet with old friends was not merry: the participants of the ceremony tearfully talked about Sasha, whom we had lost one year ago. But everybody knew that the memory of Petrenko will be perpetuated. Earlier the shirt with his number 4 found its place under the arcades of Khimki Basketball Center.

Among the guests there were friends and teammates of Petrenko – Oleg Kim, Valery Tikhonenko, Nikita Morgunov, Dmitry Domani, Mikhail Soloviev, Aleksey Vadeev, Aleksey Savkov, Denis Ershov, Sergey Karaulov…

The ceremony was opened by the Head of Administration of the urban district Khimki – Sergey Alekseev. He marked that everybody felt and still feels love for Sasha. “Opening the memorial tablet we recognize the Legend of BC Khimki”.

For ones turn, Aleksey Vadeev marked that he would like the victory with his team on Tournament. For the sake of Sasha. Then in support of these words the General Manager of BC Khimki Victor Bychkov presented a ball with the autograph of Captain to the player of Russian National Team Aleksey Lomonos.

The orchestra played Victor Bychkov, Sergey Alekseev and the mother of Alexander Petrenko Galina opened the memorial tablet – put away the silk, covered the bas-relief of Captain. And 30 (Alexander was only 30) pigeons started to fly…

During long time the participants had placed the flowers on the bas-relief and talked about Sasha…The Head of Israel Delegation in conversation with Victor Bychkov and Sergey Alekseev said that in his country knew Petrenko well and had an eye to his career. “Today our team came to show our respect to him…Our team thanks BC Khimki for the organization of the tournament for junior teams. The new generation of players should be brought up by the example of Alexander Petrenko”.
Author: BC Khimki