KIEV, Dec 10: Igor Tkachenko, president of top Ukrainian basketball club Tim-Skouf, has been shot dead by hired killers, authorities confirmed here Monday.

Tkachenko, 37, was the victim of a drive-by shooting on front of his home Saturday and died on his way to hospital.

Tkachenko, who held the joint position as club president and coach, led Tim-Skouf to the Ukrainian title in 1999 and 2000.

A police source, quoted by the Interfax news agency, said it was believed that Tkachenko had links with organised crime gangs.—AFP