MOSCOW (AFP) - Russian basketball champions CSKA Moscow said they were disappointed that NBA giants Utah Jazz had pulled out off a planned exhibition match here because of security fears.
"We were hoping the match would take place here in time," said CSKA president Alexander Gomelsky.
"The situation in Israel is also far from perfect but the organisers there have held the Euroleague final four tournament this year without any incidents."
CSKA insisted that they had done all they could to guarantee the Americans' safety for the October 8 match.
"Moscow city hall had supplied our North American partners with all possible security guarantees but unfortunately the NBA headquarters decided to avoid any possibility of a risk and called off the match," said Gomelsky.
"We understand the reasons for the decision and share their fears concerning the current situation in Russia, but we are not supposed to give up and will definitely hold the match here in 2005."
Gomelsky added that CSKA had never even considered holding the match outside Russia.
Former CSKA player Andrei Kirilenko, who is currently playing with Utah, has also expressed his dissappointment with the decision to cancel the exhibition match.
"I'm bitterly dissappointed. My teammates really wanted to visit Moscow. The match could become one of the brightest sports events in the Russian capital," said Kirilenko.
The NBA said that they will work with CSKA to reschedule the game at a later date.
"We are saddened that it will not be possible for the Jazz to play CSKA Moscow next month," said NBA Commissioner David Stern.
Dennis Haslam, president of the Utah Jazz, also said he was determined to reschedule the match.
"All of us are disappointed by the news," said Haslam.
"The entire team was looking forward not only to a competitive game but a wonderful cultural exchange with the Russian people during the trip. Perhaps none is more disappointed then our forward Andrei Kirilenko.
"Upon hearing the news Andrei said: Naturally, I am disappointed but my hope is to reschedule the game next year so I can show my teammates my homeland.
"The Jazz organization and the NBA want to keep the dialogue open with CSKA Moscow and are working toward rescheduling the Game, perhaps as early as next preseason."