Cypriot Athlete's Day, at the Presidential Palace, in honour of athletes, a total of 120 athletes were awarded
We set as a priority the upgrading and development of Cypriot sport in all areas, including competitive sport, but also mass and social sport and in this direction we have adopted an organised plan that focuses on the promotion and effective support of our country's talented athletes, at team and individual level, President Nicos Anastasiades said on Monday evening.
Addressing an event for the Cypriot Athlete's Day at the Presidential Palace, in honour of athletes who have excelled in international competitions, the President said that the event was instituted by decision of the government, as the minimum due praise and a sign of gratitude from the State to those who deservedly represent our country in the world's top sporting events.
At the event, during which a total of 120 athletes were awarded,[/B] the President of the Republic noted that the path of our athletes requires daily intensive effort, systematic preparation and personal sacrifices and that they travel this path with patience, perseverance, self-discipline and dedication, being an example and model of excellence for younger generations.
He said that within the framework of the plan adopted by the State, aimed at identifying and involving children in competitive sport from an early age, the development programmes of the Cyprus Sports Organisation are supported. He added that of paramount importance towards the utilisation of our sporting talents are also the performance plans of the Cyprus Sports Organisation, such as the talent grant, as well as the high performance planning.
President Anastasiades[/B] also referred to the operation of sports schools and the implementation of programmes such as, among others, the "School Sports for Secondary Education" and the enhancement of the efforts of championship-level athletes and their coaches, providing them with the necessary guarantees to achieve their goals.
The President said that the government has proceeded, inter alia, to the formulation of a National Strategy for Sport, through the preparation of new sports legislation, which has been undertaken by the Cyprus Sports Organisation, the adoption of the New Professional Rehabilitation Plan for High Performance Athletes, the increase of subsidies for athletes, clubs and academies and the implementation of the Code of Good Governance, towards the intensification of controls of federations and the most appropriate and effective management of their financial resources.
He also referred to the preparation of new criteria for the financing of sports organisations, the establishment of the Ethics and Sports Protection Committee, on the basis of the Law on combating the manipulation of sporting events and the implementation of sports infrastructure projects. As he said, since 2018 and onwards, 70 projects have been completed or are still underway, totalling more than 60 million euros.
"What I mentioned, as only part of the policy we adopt, is sufficiently indicative of the will and determination to shape a sports scene in our country that will give athletes and their coaches the opportunity to carry out their high effort under better conditions. What I would like to assure you of is the full commitment and consistency of all relevant bodies in the implementation of these plans," the President said, addressing the athletes.
He also said that apart from the distinctions, their commitment to the principles and values of fair play, fair play and excellence are the best ambassadors of our country.
He also spoke about the close cooperation with the COA and expressed the certainty that through the suggestions, proposals and the exchange of best practices, Cypriot sport will continue the upward trend that it has shown in recent years, achieving even greater successes.
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