In her welcoming speech at the inauguration of the new gymnastics training centre "Byron" in Larnaca, Mrs. Demetriou expressed emotion because, as she explained, "I can hardly believe that we are finally in a hall that is worthy of the children involved in this sport."
She added that "both I and my fellow MPs tried to support at least institutionally the "Byron" Larnaca Association and visited the old premises where it was housed." "I really felt ashamed that Elias and other children could have great performances under these conditions", referring to the gymnastics champion Elias Georgiou.
Since then, she continued, "it was a personal bet for all of us that Larnaca and the "Byron" Association could have at least a decent structure, which it deserved, for these children to play sports. We thank all those who contributed so that today we manage to have a fully equipped and staffed place, which can give the opportunity to all children to play sports."
At the same time he expressed the certainty that "more distinctions will follow with the new facilities and equipment of the "Byron" Larnaca Association".
The President of the Parliament expressed her thanks to the COA, the President and members of the Cyprus Gymnastics Federation and other bodies that "from the very first moment supported the athletes, supported sport and culture. These children are our future and we need to cooperate as much as we can in order to provide them with the basics" she said and noted that "it is our obligation to stand by and support these children."
Demetriou also assured that "the House of Representatives, with the few powers it has, will always be there with the same stubbornness and determination to support our future as we should and as we must do, because children are our future."
In his own address, the President of the Cyprus Sports Organisation Andreas Michaelides said that "together with my colleagues, we have as our main objective from the first moment of taking office, the upgrading of the quality of our sport at all levels. The appropriate and modern sports infrastructure is a great prerequisite for achieving this goal."
He added that "when I saw the place where our champion Elias Georgiou and the rest of the athletes of Cyprus were training, I felt enormous disappointment and immediately, together with the Vice President of the COA, we informed the Board of Directors about the situation".
He also noted that "the CTO asked the Cyprus Gymnastics Federation to proceed with finding a space, while by special decisions of the Board of Directors of the Organization, funds amounting to 185 thousand euros were approved for the conversion of the hall into a gym and for the three-year coverage of the rent. An amount of 92 thousand euros was also approved for the purchase of new and modern gymnastics equipment."
As the COA, Mr Michaelides continued, "we feel proud that we have managed to have today a gem of a gym which will serve as a nucleus of activity, life and development of sports and talents. I am sure that new great successes for Cyprus will blossom from the gym" he said and assured that "the COA will always be by the side of the new Byron gymnastics training centre, a constant helper and its biggest supporter".
It is noted that among others, the inauguration ceremony was attended by MPs of Larnaca and Famagusta Free Province, the Mayors of Larnaca and Aradippou and athletes.
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