[PIO] Address by the Minister of Education, Sports and Youth, Dr Athina Michailidou, at the Award Ceremony for Outstanding Athletes and Teams of

It is a special pleasure for me to be among you today, welcoming the award ceremony of the excellent athletes and teams of Limassol, in the framework of the "OPAP Limassol 2023". This is an important event, which is the culmination of a very successful year that preceded it, as well as an incentive to achieve even greater goals. This is the purpose of "Lemesia", one of the leading and most important events in the sporting life of our country.

In the course of more than two decades of its organization, the "Lemesia" has succeeded, through a wide range of activities, to highlight athletes as role models of performance and ethics, to highlight the importance of sport and to demonstrate the value of the principles and ideals that sport stands for.

Recognising the importance and multiple benefits of sport, as the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth, we promote a coherent policy that works in this direction. Among the plans we adopt for the progress and development of Cypriot sport are the continuous upgrading of school sport, the strengthening of sports education, the creation of a sports culture from childhood, the upgrading of our sports infrastructure, the promotion of lifelong exercise and the rational financing of sports federations.

At the same time, taking into account the fact that our small Cyprus has great talents, we promote all the necessary policies and actions to bring out these talents and ensure an environment with equal opportunities, equal opportunities and equal participation for all. In addition, we invest in the multi-faceted support of outstanding athletes, promoting the right preparation and promotion of sport, as well as supporting the goal of creativity, innovation and excellence in sport.

The increased interest in attending the Sports Schools - which will be honoured with special awards at tonight's event - the competitive excellence and outstanding academic performance of their student-athletes contribute to the realisation of the objective of a parallel rise in competitive and academic performance. Sports Schools are now a recognised and successful institution, embraced by children, parents and society at large, with today's special awards proving the point.

Dear children, dear athletes, dear sportswomen, dear representatives of teams or other organised groups.

In closing my brief greeting, I address you and congratulate you warmly. Today's ceremony is nothing more than due praise for the effort you have made and the successes you have achieved. You have made us proud by showing us by your example that perseverance, persistence, self-discipline and dedication are the greatest assets for achieving our goals. I wish you good luck with more and higher distinctions.

Finally, I also congratulate the Limassol Municipality, which, with the valuable support of OPAP Cyprus, through the organization of "Lemesia", has succeeded in establishing the city as a model of a different/active lifestyle.

I wish that the New Year brings health and success in all your noble goals.

IP

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