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It is with great pleasure that I have accepted the invitation to represent the President of the Republic at tonight's event for the presentation of the booklet on the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Cyprus Sportswriters Association (CSA).
The recording of history is always very important because from history we learn lessons from which we can become better, while at the same time the younger generations - in this case the members of EAK - are informed about the working conditions and the difficulties faced by the pioneers and founders of the organisation.
EAK was founded in 1973 during a difficult period for Cyprus, when national division and a civil war climate prevailed in the ranks of the Cypriot people. As in all aspects of public life, sports writers were then divided and divided into two associations founded in 1967 and 1969 respectively on the basis of the political beliefs of their members.
But in 1973, following the efforts of COA officials such as Andreas Hadjivassiliou and Savvas Lagoudis, and at the urging of the World Federation of Sports Editors, which recognised only one association from each country, unification took place and the EAK was born.
By the standards of the time, an act of unification in a climate of division could be described as revolutionary.
By the standards of the time, an act of unification in a climate of division could be described as revolutionary. But it was necessary. The sports editors of the time adopted, as they should, the sporting ideal and set a good example of how they could not only co-exist but work together to improve the conditions of the profession and for the good of sport.
The unification of the NAC has helped greatly in the development of the organisation, in the better training and education of its members, in the better coverage of sporting events in Cyprus and consequently, in increasing the interest of the Cypriot fans in sport.
With the licensing in the early 90's of private radio and private television we had a great growth of the profession, as dozens of young people had the opportunity to express their interest in sports journalism and were now employed as professional sports writers.
In recent years the journalistic family has been facing particular difficulties and challenges and Sports Journalism has been one of the sectors that have been particularly affected. The growth of the internet, social media and now artificial intelligence have put and are putting particular pressure on traditional media such as newspapers, radio and television. The state recognises these difficulties and the effort being made is to support the media as much as possible to perform their important role.
The government of Nikos Christodoulides and I as Minister of Justice consider sportswriters as allies in our efforts to combat violence on playing fields. I know that it is a problem that goes back a long way and that many of you have been interested in with articles, reports, comments and broadcasts for years.
I have also been following your reactions to the measures we have announced and to the fan card. My point is that criticism is welcome. Our goal is common and our effort is not only about suppression but also about prevention.
In this area your contribution is great. I know that the cultivation of sportsmanship is a key objective of the members of the NAC and is also recorded in the statutes of the organization. The involvement of our own Ministry concerns the more active role that the Police must play, so that the games begin and end safely and without the phenomena that we have witnessed in recent days.
I would like to congratulate the EAK, its President Herodotus Miliades and all the members of the organization for their action over these 50 years. I also congratulate Dr Chrysanthos Chrysanthos for writing the booklet on the history of the EAC. I especially congratulate the founding members and pioneers of the EAC who will be honored tonight for their valuable contribution.
As the Government and the Ministry of Justice and Public Order, I reiterate our readiness for full cooperation in all matters related to the safety of the stadiums and the tackling of the major issue of violence in sports venues.
As the Government and the Ministry of Justice and Public Order, I reiterate our readiness for full cooperation in all matters related to the safety of the stadiums and the tackling of the major issue of violence in sports venues.
Thank you very much.
(B]PIO[/B]
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